Split Rail Bluegrass from Belvedere, South Carolina, will be performing at the Sixth Annual "Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival" set for September 15-17 at Elijah Clark State Park. The Sixth Annual "Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival" will be held Friday, September 15, through Sunday, September 17, at Elijah Clark State Park.

Featuring great bluegrass musicians from Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the jamboree is slated to run from 6 until 11:30 p.m. on Friday, 12 until 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday's program will be comprised solely of bluegrass gospel music.

Leading the impressive line-up of talent is Split Rail Bluegrass from Belvedere, South Carolina.

Formed in the late 1980s, Split Rail has appeared at bluegrass festivals from Georgia to Maryland. The group has also opened for such national acts as Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Lost and Found, IIIrd Tyme Out, Blue Highway, Claire Lynch, and Lincoln County's own Lewis Family.

Known for its versatility, Split Rail Bluegrass delights audiences with everything from Flatt and Scruggs to Bill Monroe. At each show, fans get a heavy dose of gospel as well as a mixture of favorites from the 1960s and 1970s and "New Classic Grass" from the 1980s, all done with an emphasis on new arrangements and entertaining the audience.

Split Rail is scheduled to perform at the park at 2:30 on Sunday.

Among the other entertainers appearing at the festival are the King James Boys (Saturday); Old Virginia Homestead (Saturday and Sunday); J. Monroe Smith, the "Bluegrass Gentleman," who will be featured with the Etterleeroad Bluegrass and Gospel Band (Saturday and Sunday); Potter's Clay (Saturday); Southern Bluegrass (Friday and Saturday); Blazing Bluegrass (Saturday); the Southern Travelers (Friday); Fret Not! Bluegrass (Friday and Sunday); the Bluegrass Confederation (Friday); Mountain Angels (Saturday); Small Town Bluegrass (Saturday and Sunday); and Abney Road (Saturday).

In addition, there will be a "Banjo Pull" at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, conducted by Paul Hopkins, owner of W-LIJ Radio in Shelbyville, Tennessee. All of the banjo pickers in the park will be on the stage at one time during these special events which are sponsored each year by LouZee Banjo.

A large tent is being provided so the show can go on rain or shine. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.

"We want to maintain this as an affordable family event in order to promote bluegrass within the ranks of the younger generations," said Don DeClue, the organizer of the festival. "The bands donate their time and talents to this worthy cause - we also have corporate sponsors whose contributions help make this a free event."

He went on to express his appreciation to this year's corporate sponsors for their support: Starling Funeral Home, Harlem; Meybohm Realtors, Augusta; Neal's Bar-B-Q, Thomson; Grand Rental Station, Thomson; Tropical Sno Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Belton, South Carolina; Paradise Barbecue, Lincolnton; LouZee Banjo; C.D. and Shirley Morris, Harlem; Turtle Moon Herbs, Blythe, Georgia; Pulliam Lumber Company, Inc., Mitchell; Cushman Paint and Body, Evans; the Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Augusta; Garner Auto Sales, Martinez; and CSRA Camperland, Martinez.

Along with great music, there will also be concessions available on the premises. The menu will feature brisket sandwiches, barbecue plates and sandwiches, French fries, onion rings, hotdogs, and hamburgers provided by Paradise Barbecue and shaved ice treats, hotdogs, French fries, chicken finger plates, and boiled peanuts prepared by Tropical Sno Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

There is no admission charge for the bluegrass jamboree; however, visitors to the park are reminded that all Georgia state parks charge an entrance fee of $3 per vehicle.

For more information about the festival, contact Elijah Clark State Park at 1-706-359-3458.