Bluegrass Jamboree: Cape’s Historical Museum to hold fundraising festival
For the first time ever, the Cape Coral Historical Museum is bringing bluegrass to the city.
The Bluegrass Jamboree will be held on Jan. 30 from noon to 5 p.m. on the museum grounds. The festival will feature a handful of well-known bands, paired with tasty barbecue and cold drinks.
“Cape Coral has not had anything like this. So we thought, ‘Let’s try to introduce some bluegrass’,” Barbara Salafia, the event chair, said. “Bluegrass is very popular, and many people enjoy it.”
The event will serve as a fundraiser to help the museum further preserve the city’s history.
“Hopefully, it will be successful because we want to do this annually,” she said.
Bluegrass is a form of American Roots music that was brought to America by the early European settlers, according to museum officials. It is a combination of the country and gospel styles.
“We have three bands, and they’re very well-known in Southwest Florida,” Salafia said.
They are Cypress Hollow, Banyan Bluegrass and Bugtussle Ramblers. Cypress Hollow takes the stage at 12:30 p.m. and Banyan Bluegrass plays at 2 p.m., while Bugtussle Ramblers is set for 3:30 p.m.
“Each one is going to perform for an hour and 15 minutes,” she said.
Dick Spottswood, host of “The Dick Spottswood Show,” will be the program emcee.
“He has his own radio show,” Salafia said. “He’s very well-known in the bluegrass world.”
Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon will be serving up the barbecue.
Budweiser products will also be available for purchase, along with wine.
“Bring your own chair,” she said.
Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the gate; VIP tickets, which also cover food and drinks, are available for $30 in advance or $40 at the gate. Each ticket includes entry into multiple raffles.
“We do have raffles with the price of the tickets,” Salafia said.
Some of the prizes are restaurant gift certificates, car wash booklets and themed baskets.
Organizers are hoping to have a couple hundred people attend the first year.
“Ticket sales are really going well,” she said on Thursday.
There is a $3 suggested donation for parking that will help support the Boy Scouts.
“We’re looking forward to have a crowd,” Salafia said.
“We want people to come and enjoy themselves,” she added. “We think it’s going to be a blast.”
Advance tickets can be purchased online at: www.capecoralmuseum.org.
They can also be picked up at the museum and at the Cape Coral City Hall. The museum is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call the museum at (239) 772-7037.
The Cape Coral Historical Museum is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd.
Cape Coral City Hall is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.