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New Richmond - A very popular Gaspe bluegrass festival which always draws a large contingent of bands and fans from northern New Brunswick is back on again for another year.

Organizers of the New Richmond Bluegrass Festival are set to go for the events sixth edition which will take place Aug. 29th to the 31st on the site of the Gaspesian British Heritage Village, which is a relatively short drive down the Gaspe coast on Route 132 east of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. According to festival coordinator, Tammy Burton, response to the festival's online survey has been overwhelming. Visitors to the festival's web site at www.newrichmondbluegrass.com can fill out a short questionnaire for a chance to win a pair of weekend passes and over 150 entries have been received with over 75 per cent of respondants indicating that they will be attending the festival for the first time which leads organizers to believe that attendance should be up for the sixth straight year.

The festival appeals not only music lovers, but also camping enthusiasts. Rough camping is free on site with the purchase of a weekend pass and the festival provides campers with a last long summer weekend. Last year over 250 trailers and RVs were on hand and according to Burton, organizers are expecting to cap the 300 mark for the first time year.

Appearing at the New Richmond festival for the first time will be the Mueller Family, a seven member family band from Maine made up of Karen and Curt Mueller and six of their children ranging in ages from seven to 23. In all, nine of the top bluegrass bands from Eastern Canada and Maine will be on hand providing over 30 shows on stage. Other activities include open mike for amateur musicians, draws and a performance by the Silver Haven Cloggers dance troop.

Other groups who will be on hand include Ray Legere and Acoustic Horizon, Janet McGarry and Wildwood, Caledonia Drive, Blue Horizon, Timberland Express, WindyCreek and the festival's home band, Silver Fox. As usual, the show doesn't end when the stage lights go down at the end of the evening. A favorite for bluegrass festival goers is the jam sessions which take place under the barn as well as in designated areas of the campground. Amateurs join the professional musicians to play together until early morning as crowds of as many as a hundred or more gather around to enjoy. The New Richmond Bluegrass Festival is gaining the reputation of being one of the friendliest bluegrass festivals on the circuit and last year drew attendees from eight provinces and as many American States. Don't be left out; join friends old and new at the Gaspesian British Heritage Village on Labour Day weekend. -30- Mike Geraghty New Richmond Bluegrass Festival Tel.: 418-392-4487 heritagevillage@globetrotter.net