Atonement shindig: Church’s annual bluegrass fest returning

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Atonement Lutheran Church’s annual Country & Bluegrass Festival will feature three regional bands, children’s games and a wide variety of food, all for a good cause.

Spiritwood Creek, Buffalo Station and Smokehouse will perform at Atonement’s big shindig this year, with the groups gathering together to jam at the end of the event.

“It’s the music, it’s the camaraderie,” said Beth Dewald, executive director for the Buffalo Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. “It’s an opportunity for people to just be together.”

Half of the proceeds of the event will go to the Buffalo Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross for local programs, with the other half going to the Community Action Backpack Program.

In the Backpack Program, children in need are sent home from school with backpacks full of food for weekends, so they have meals to eat when they aren’t at school.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing supplemental funds for the event.

The Country & Bluegrass Festival will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26.

The festival will be on the grounds of Atonement Lutheran Church, where there will be a large tent so people can listen to the music in the shade. People are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs.

Freshly-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, beef sloppy joes and hot dogs will be served, along with salads and desserts brought by church members, all for a freewill donation. In addition, freshly-popped popcorn and soda will be sold.

Facepainting and games for children will be available at the festival too, said Lucy Bardell, a member of the Planning Committee for the festival.

The Country & Bluegrass Festival has been a tradition at Atonement for the past six or seven years, and it is a popular one. Last year, 552 people ate at the event, and many more attended.

It takes more than 50 volunteers to make the event happen.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, updates, religion