STRUMMING & SPICE

MANATEE COUNTY — The precise picking of acoustic guitars and fiddles will fill the air at Linger Lodge’s first Gator Creek Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

The Linger Lodge Restaurant & Campground will host the festival from 11 a.m. to dusk, May 7 on a riverside spot behind the restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

“It’s a big bluegrass jam,” Linger Lodge Resort General Manager David LaRusso said. “There are lots of shady areas for people to enjoy the music.”

Festivities will include live music by bands such as the Florida Mountain Boys and Highway 41 South, among others, as well as a gumbo cook-off featuring the Linger Lodge’s own famous gumbo recipe as well as those of guest chefs and residents.

“(The lodge’s gumbo recipe) has been here as long as the lodge,” Restaurant Manager Rita Lewis said. “It’s the best gumbo around. We’re challenging other chefs (and people to try to beat it).”

Bluegrass festival entry costs $7 with an additional $3 charge for individuals who wish to taste gumbo entries. Entry costs $6 for individuals who buy tickets in advance.

Bands will be set up on a shady, grassy area behind the actual restaurant, which will be serving hot dogs, sandwiches beer and soda outside all day. Linger Lodge also will be offering its full bar and menu inside, which includes everything from fried green tomatoes and hush puppies to burgers, crab cakes, lasagna, étouffée, salads and more.

“It’s not just a ‘come-and-look-at-the-snakes’ place,” LaRusso said. “A big thanks (goes out) to customers who have helped Rita and I turn this place around and put it back on the map.

“(Rita and I) also want to give our special thanks to Austin Kennedy of the Florida Mountain Boys and Mark Horn of Highway 41 South for all their hard work and expertise in bringing this festival together,” he said.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Coolers and pets are not permitted.

The Linger Lodge also offers limited canoe and kayak rentals, which will be available during the festival.

LaRusso said the idea of hosting a bluegrass event developed as he and Lewis worked to build up the restaurant’s music program, which now offers live music to patrons every weekend.

Gator Creek Bluegrass Festival
WHEN: 11 a.m. to dusk, May 7
WHERE: Linger Lodge Restaurant & Campground, 7205 85th St. Court E.
DETAILS: Live music runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gumbo cook off runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the winner announced at 4 p.m. Winner of 50/50 raffle announced at 6:30 p.m. After scheduled music finishes at 9 p.m., musicians will play informally (field pickin’). No coolers or pets allowed.
COST: $7 for Bluegrass festival pass or $10 for festival pass and gumbo cook-off pass. Prior to event, festival tickets cost $6.
INFO: www.lingerlodgeresort.com

MUSIC SCHEDULE
11 a.m. — The Wirebeaters
Noon — Passerine
1 p.m. — Highway 41 South
2 p.m. — State Road 64
3 p.m. — Florida Mountain Boys
4 p.m. — The Wirebeaters
5 p.m. — Passerine
6 p.m. — Highway 41 South
7 p.m. — State Road 64
8 p.m. — Florida Mountain Boys
9 p.m. — Field pickin’ on the point

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].