Braden River Bluegrass Festival draws big crowd to Linger Lodge in Bradenton
Four bands, barbecue and beer highlight the annual festival.
By
Pam Eubanks
| 2:11 p.m. September 14, 2019
East County
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You can bet the Braden River Bluegrass Festival will be on their calendar next year.
Lakewood Ranch's Hazell Miller and Tara Preserve's Marilyn Kirchoff didn't have anything planned for their Saturday afternoon when friend Gail Schmidt suggested they attend the annual festival at Linger Lodge Restaurant and RV Resort.
"She talked us into it," Kirchoff said, laughing.
She won't have to again.
They had not been to a bluegrass festival before, but they loved the day of music, relaxation and friendship.
The women and their husbands — Steve Miller, Ken Kirchoff and Carl Schmidt — set up chairs in the shade and listened to live music from the bank.
Schmidt said she and her husband go to Linger Lodge regularly and have loved one of the featured bands, Hwy 41 South.
"We think they're wonderful," she said.
Besides Hwy 41 South, Blast of Grass, Penny Creek and Duck Wallow Lane also performed. Patrons could purchase food and beer, and peruse vendor booths, which were filled with crafts and other items.
Guitarist Justin Lanier of Blast of Grass delights the crowd with his vocals.
Bradenton 11-year-old Bradley Jordan and Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Jacob Cole sell popcorn at the event to benefit the Boy Scouts of America Southwest Florida Council Troop 10.
Palmetto's Donna and Mark Levesque try regular and caramel toffee kettle corn.
Lakewood Ranch's Chris Kean meets Sarasota's Paula Sharpe as they feast on beer and barbecue.
