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Bluegrass festival kept toes tapping

The competition was stiff, the music lively and the weather wet. But the Ninth Annual Bluegrass Championship sponsored by the Auburndale Sertoma Club was yet another rip-roaring success.
"We feel the weather didn't hurt us this year," said Sertoma President Larry Walker. "We have never had it rain us out before and we were sure it wouldn't this time."
Obviously a little sprinkle didn't hinder true bluegrass lovers. Some came from of far as Jacksonville to enjoy the two days of competition.
Although the program got off to a slow, two-hour late start, the crowd, slim at the start, thickened out as the program progressed on Friday night.
Bands representing Jacksonville, Boca Raton and the Suanee Valley were among competition entrants.
"We love to come here," said Bill Henry from Boca Raton. "We find that the best competition is here in Auburndale. Everyone is so good, we don't mind losing to anyone."
Winners in this year's band competition were, first place, Beachville of Suanee Valley; second, Southern Star (last year's winner) of. Plant City; and in third, City Limits of Boca Raton.
Winners in the individual competition were, banjo, Larry Jackson of Southern Star; mandolin, Dan Smith of Southern Star; fiddler, Bill Henry of Valley Grass.
Cloggers performing at the event each received a $100 donation to help defray expenses.
"It has been a highly successful weekend," said Walker. "We cleared $2000, which is down from last year, but we are still pleased.
The club plans to hold the festival again next year.

The Auburndale Bluegrass Festival will kick off Friday, March 15, at 4 p.m. with the official opening ceremonies.

Included in the ceremonies will be the presentation of colors by the V.F.W., the invocation, and a performance by the Auburndale Senior High School Chorus.

The bands start at 6 p.m. Performing at various times over the weekend will be Southern Star, Plant City; Palmetto Bluegrass, Ft. Meade; City Limits Bluegrass, Boca Raton; Beaumont Family, San Antonio; Valley Grass, Jacksonville; Ramblin' Rose; and the Rogers Family, Ft. Meade, among others.

Friday at 8 p.m., the Sandy Country Cloggers of Auburndale perform. Saturday at 3 p.m. are the Good Time Cloggers; at 8 p.m. are the Black Mountain Cloggers of Auburndale. Sunday at 3 p.m. are the Berry Patch Cloggers of Plant City.

Vendors will also be on hand with a good supply of food and souveniers.

"We will have elephant ears, corn-on-the-cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken dinners and a wide variety of other foods," said Walker. "We will also have soda. There are no alcoholic beverages allowed at the festival."

There will be a difference in this festival from previous ones. A week-end charge of $2 will be taken at the gate and ticket holders will be asked to wear a large triangular ticket to show that they have paid. While the system is not 100 percent sure, the proceeds will be used to help off-set the cost of the festival.

The Sertoma Club uses the monies raised to help finance their service projects for the year. Among the projects they sponsor is Camp Endeavor, a special camp for hearing and speech impaired youngsters.

Camping facilities will be available on a first come, first serve basis. There are limited spaces, so reservations are encouraged.

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