The event promises a full day of music and entertainment

for the whole family.

The first time he heard bluegrass music, Norm Johnson was hooked.

Now, he’s bringing that passion to the island.

“Bluegrass music is very universal. You don’t have to be an aficionado of the genre to enjoy the experience,” said Johnson, creator of the first Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival.

The outdoor concert will assemble a collection of the best local and national bluegrass talent from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29 at Battle Point Park.

When Johnson entertained the idea of a bluegrass festival, he was surprised to learn that he wasn’t the only islander fond of the genre.

“Everyone I talked to was excited about the idea and added their ideas to it. I’ve discovered a huge support in the community of Bainbridge Island for this outdoor concert,” Johnson said.

He knew the island would be receptive when the Foxfire Bluegrass Band sold out the Island Music Guild Hall last August. So he collaborated with Wendy Tyner, an island music promoter who has been successful in promoting Wintergrass, Tacoma’s annual bluegrass festival.

“Both of us had wanted to do one for awhile,” Tyner said. “It was only natural for me to get involved.”

Tyner scouted talent for the event. One of the nine chosen acts includes island residents Wes Corbett on banjo and Simon Chrisman on bass.

“It sounded like a lot of fun, so I figured I’d put a band together,” Corbett said.

While most songs Corbett plays stem from bluegrass, he prefers to classify his music as “new acoustic,” bringing a Northwest flare to the American roots genre.

Multiple bluegrass sub-genres will be represented in a musical lineup.

With the music genre already determined, the festival creators worked for an atmosphere palatable for the whole family. The festival will include food, rides, games and instrument and CD sales.

Poulsbo’s Wild Horse BBQ will serve pulled pork and chicken sandwiches and Bainbridge Bakers will be there with an ample supply of baked goods. The Transmitter Building Renovation Project committee will offer popcorn, shaved ice, chips and other refreshments and host children’s games with prizes. Fajitas, hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages also will be served.

Because the concert is hosted in a natural amphitheater, there is no seating. Johnson encourages families to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs.

Island organizations will host informational booths, and island tourism promoter Local Escapes will rent bicycles.

“We encourage people to come to the park with the whole family. If kids get bored with the music they can walk trails, visit the duck pond or playground,” Johnson said.

Simultaneously at the park, the Bainbridge Island Roller Hockey championships will take place, and tours of the Battle Point Astronomical Association observatory and the planned children’s gymnastics center in the historic transmitter building will be offered.

The main attraction includes music from the Blue Mountain Bluegrass Band, Foxfire Bluegrass Band, Picket Range, the Coots, young fiddle prodigy Andrea Good, Mollybloom, Prairie Flyer, Red Brown and the Tune Stranglers, plus local wonders Wes Corbett & Friends. The bands were chosen for their award-winning, or future award-winning, bluegrass style.

Tickets are $5 per person or $12 per family. All the proceeds generated by the festival will support the transmitter building renovation project.

“Because the concert’s at Battle Point Park, it’s a community event and therefore the proceeds should go toward parks and recreation,” Tyner said.

While the fund-raising is important, Johnson was eager to create an event that the whole community can appreciate.

“I wanted to get people out to enjoy their local park in the summertime and make an event that the whole family can enjoy doing together,” he said.

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Fiddling around

The Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival is noon to 9 p.m. July 29 at Battle Point Park. Tickets are $5 per person and $12 per family and are available in advance at Eagle Harbor Books, Glass Onion, Silver Screens and www.bainbridgebluegrassfestival.com or at the site. The festival is sponsored by Music Community Resources, Tyner & Associates, John L. Scott Real Estate, Local Escapes and Sound Reprographics.