BLUEGRASS
FROM THE FOREST 2021
Although pandemic restrictions and school contruction has made it impossible for the festival to be held at the Performing Arts Center on the Shelton High School property, event organizer, Duane Wilson, is excited by the potential offered by the Soccer Park at Mason County Recreation Area for the Festival’s 16th year.
“We will miss the comfort and all of the amenities that school theater had to offer but feel there are a lot of positives in having the Festival at the soccer park. The biggest one is space. We have fifteen acres to spread people out. Social distancing should not be a problem.”
Crying Uncle (California)
photo: Shawna Whelan
Northwest Bluegrass fans have reason to celebrate and tighten their banjo strings! After a year of no musical gathers and COVID cancellations last year, Kristmas Town Kiwanis’ Bluegrass from the Forest is planning to make a comeback September 10th to 12th at the South Mason Youth Soccer Park on John's Prairie about two miles from downtown Shelton. And spread-out they will, with plans to host two stages areas, a beer and wine garden, and food and vendor spaces near the stages. The festival also will accommodate two RV parking areas and lots of grassy tent sites for out of town festival-goers or for locals who want to be part of the whole experience. There are no showers or electric hookups but there are on site restrooms. The facility directly to the east of the soccer park is Mason County Recreation. This public park has picnic areas, five baseball diamonds and four batting cages. and is an excellent space for family time, jogging, power walking or a quiet walk in the outfields.
Bluegrass from the Forest was started by Kristmas Town Kiwanis sixteen years ago to raise funds to build a restroom at Callannan Park in Shelton. Over the years the proceeds from the Festival have funded many other projects in Shelton and Mason County, always focusing on helping the youth of the area. 39 FJORD
