Finish of an period:Milan’s bluegrass competition ends
August’s Milan Music Fest/Milan Bluegrass Competition was the final.
On Thursday, competition organizer Mark Gaynier introduced the tip of the favored occasion that drew followers from a number of states and performers from throughout the nation.
Whereas Gaynier will proceed to personal KC Campground, competition venue, he’s retiring from producing the bluegrass occasion. Gaynier made the announcement on the competition’s Fb web page.
“Thanks all so very a lot for the unbelievable 25th-anniversary of the Milan Music Fest. 5 days of music was fairly the endeavor, and we loved it a lot. In some methods, the final 25 years have flown by, and I’m grateful to everybody who has been with me alongside the way in which. I’ve made so many associates via bluegrass music, relationships that I do know will final a lifetime, and I’m so humbled by the assist this group persistently offers me and one another,” Gaynier wrote.
“With this private milestone reached, I’ve given nice thought to what’s subsequent for me and the Milan Music Fest. I’m in a brand new season of life now, and after a lot deliberation, I’ve determined it’s the proper time for me to retire as competition producer. This choice has not come simply, however I really feel nice peace about it.”
“I’ll definitely miss having the occasion right here at KC Campground, however I’m hopeful that retirement will free me as much as journey all year long and revel in much more bluegrass music by attending festivals I’ve by no means had the chance to assist. I’ll proceed possession of KC Campground, and I need to invite everybody to cease by and hang around with us anytime you’re in search of a spot to camp close to Milan.”
Followers and bluegrass performers responded to the information with unhappiness and in addition gratitude for the competition’s future.
The unique Milan Bluegrass Competition started in 1978 and was organized for a few years by Jim and Peggy Ann Wilder of Royal Oak.
Jim Wilder continued to e book acts for the competition even after Gaynier and his spouse, Peggy Ann, purchased the campground within the Nineties. Jim Wilder died in 2012, however had many of the 2013 competition deliberate bfore his loss of life. Gaynier took over Wilder’s duties for the 2014 competition.
Final 12 months was the twenty fifth anniversary of the competition underneath the Gayniers’ possession. In honor of the anniversary, the competition’s identify was modified to the Milan Music Fest, and the occasion ran for an unprecedented 5 days. Earlier festivals had been three and 4 days. The competition sometimes drew as much as 3,000 attendees every day.
Sharing the stage annually had been bluegrass legends like Rhonda Vincent and Joe Mullins, but additionally many newcomers. In earlier years, Gaynier spent winters touring the nation, in search of new acts. He usually introduced younger perfomers to Milan, giving them publicity within the bluegrass style.
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