MANSFIELD — The fifth annual Mansfield Jamfest Bluegrass and Country Music Festival is making a comeback this summer.

The charity event, like so many other activities, was sidelined by COVID-19 last year. Organizer Chris Smith wasn’t sure he would be able to revive the music extravaganza, but when things began opening up in January, he started booking bands for the last week in August at the Richland County Fairgrounds.

“We have national acts coming in from Virginia and Kentucky,” Smith said. “There’s a band called Hammertowne with a guy named David Carroll who has a strong Mansfield connection.

“But really, even people who don’t like Bluegrass are drawn to this. Bluegrass fans are just great people. There are Mansfield people who come to this that aren’t Bluegrass fans but they just like the atmosphere.”

The music starts on Thursday, Aug. 26, but the opportunities for fun start long before that. The action begins on Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 23 and 24) with Bluegrass Bingo. On Wednesday, Aug. 25 there will be a euchre tournament.

“This will be the first year we are selling beer through the Cheers to You booth and they also have wine slushies,” Smith said. “Whatever profit they make splits with the festival and Nationwide Childrens Hospital.”

Traditionally, a portion of the proceeds goes to a charity. This year it includes Nationwide Childrens Hospital and the Richland County Veterans Association. Smith said his brother is a 2004 Iraq War veteran and he wants to do something to honor his service.

Through the years the festival has donated money to other charities including Helping Families with Cancer, the Joe Nichols Recovery Road program, and one year more than $3,000 went to a single mom in Mansfield who had a child with leukemia.

Obviously, the bands are the biggest draw. Two years ago more than 2,000 people attended, and Smith is expecting more than that this year.

“People come from all over because of the fellowship,” Smith said. “I’ve gotten more calls this year from people who are not country music fans, but they’ve heard this is a relaxed atmosphere and everyone has a good time.

“Some people will come and camp here just to be around it.”

The bands take over the event starting on Thursday. The lineup looks like this:

Thursday, Aug. 26

There will be a Toss the Barbie Contest in the horse arena at 1 p.m.

The menu includes a pig roast, Lake Erie Walleye and Perch fish fry and pot luck dinner, which takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the John Hartz building.

The band lineup features: Bluegrassholes from 6 to 6:30 p.m.; Blue Universe from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Three Rivers Bluegrass from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Country Music with Steve & Sam from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 27

The bands begin at 11:30 a.m. with Echo Valley from 11:30 to 12:15 p.m.; Vertical Limit from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Ottawa Cunty from 1 to 1:45 p.m.; Fenced In from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.; the Kody Norris Show from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.; Dinner Break from 3:15 to 5 p.m.; Echo Valley from 5 to 5:45 p.m.; Vertical Limit from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.; Ottawa County from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; Fenced In from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Kody Norris Show from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m.; Junior Sisk Band from 9:15 to 10:30 p.m.; and Fireside Gospel Singing with Heather and Tony Mabe from 11 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 28

On Saturday starting at noon there will be a meet and greet with Big Steve Watson and Shawn Rigsby.

The Cottrell Family Memorial Cornhole Tournament also begins at noon in the horse arena.

The Caleb Daugherty CD Release Party takes place at 5:15 p.m. in the building next to the horse arena.

The bands take the stage starting with Chris’s Bluegrass Kids from 11 to 11:30 a.m.; Kyle Jarvis and IIIrd Generation from 11:35 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.; Harold Hamilton & Hard Drivin’ from 12:15 to 12:50 p.m.; Caney Creek from 12:55 to 1:30 p.m.; Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers from 1:35 to 2:10 p.m.; Hammertowne from 2:15 to 2:50 p.m.; Caleb Daugherty Band from 2:55 to 3:30 p.m.; Junior Sisk Band from 3:35 to 4:10 p.m.; Dinner Break & Dedications from 4:10 to 5:45 p.m.; Kyle Jarvis and IIIrd Generation from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.; Harold Hamilton & Hard Drivin’ from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; Caney Creek from 7:15 to 8 p.m.; Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers from 8 to 8:45 p.m.; Hammertowne from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m.; Caleb Daugherty Band from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m.; and the Junior Sisk Band from 10:15 to 11 p.m.