UPDATE: SM Hanson Music has canceled this year's Heartland Bluegrass festival because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Rick Hanson, CEO and president of SM Hanson Music.
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SM Hanson Music is bringing back bluegrass! A bluegrass festival, that is.
The SM Hanson Heartland Bluegrass Festival 2020 is scheduled for April 26. The event is scheduled at The Temple, 336 South Santa Fe Avenue, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. This venue is handicap accessible.
"The SM Hanson Heartland Bluegrass Festival 2020 will include several bluegrass bands from around the state, some general playing and picking sessions, an Instrument Petting Zoo (for kids and adults, open mic stage time, a few instrument vendors, and local food trucks," said Rick Hanson, CEO and president of SM Hanson Music, Inc. "Attendees are encouraged to bring their instrument to join in the music community during the day."
Admission to the event will be by a suggested cash donation or canned food donation for the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank, Hanson said.
"This will be our first bluegrass festival since the mid 1970s. We held several events in the '70s at Memorial Hall with bluegrass bands coming from Oklahoma and Arkansas," Hanson explained.
This year, however, the festival will be at The Temple.
"We will use the Grand Entrance on Santa Fe (big bronze doors," Hanson noted. "The steps can be a place to begin picking if the weather is nice. The foyer and second floor space will provide adequate room for performances, picking areas, petting zoo and vendors."
The schedule of performers will be released closer to the date of the event, Hanson said.
The Kansas Bluegrass Association also plans to participate in the festival, he said.
Additionally, The Temple will have volunteers on hand to discuss the beautiful and historic facility that is being used for so many events.
"This will be a great opportunity for the public to see The Temple and listen/participate in the bluegrass music event," Hanson said.
According to Hanson, the festival is sponsored in part by Salina Arts & Humanities.