Fiddle champion George Portz said his band cannot wait to return to the stage Saturday and Sunday at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park along Old Hwy. A in Festus.
The George Portz’s Festus Traditional Music Festival was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 version will be the eighth one in Festus, after the event was held for 23 years at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Ellis Grove, Ill.
The festival, which runs from noon to 6 p.m. both days, will feature performances by various musical and dance acts.
Admission is $8 for adults per day. Children younger than 10 may attend for free. Refreshments are available through the Festus American Legion.
Portz of Shiloh, Ill., leads the George Portz and His Friends of Bluegrass Band, and serves as the event’s emcee. The other members of his group include David Dalton of Manchester, lead singer/guitar; “Ranger” Dave Montgomery of Fenton, lead guitar; Gene Hall of De Soto, banjo; and Kathie Pohlman, Okawville, Ill., upright bass/accordion.
Portz said most all the acts featured at the festival love to perform in front of fans.
“We feed off the audience,” he said. “Since most of our performers don’t do this for a living – other than the two Nashville bands, The Howlin’ Brothers and Frank Ray – we all play for the enjoyment and the fun.”
Portz’s band and the Howlin’ Brothers will perform both days.
The Saturday lineup also features Eric Thompson of Ironton, bluegrass harmonica champion; Keepin’ It Reel Celtic Band; Lit’l Miss Country, Ruby Pearson; Frank Ray, a Grand Old Opry performer; Bobby Powell, a Willie Nelson tribute artist; and the Thunder & Lightning Cloggers.
The Sunday lineup includes Punches Family, bluegrass gospel music; Matt McElroy, Illinois state harmonica champion; Fiddlers Frolic; Silver Creek Bluegrass Band; The Baker Family Bluegrass Band; Southside Creole Playboys; and O’Falolain Irish Dance Troupe.
He noted that the festival draws fans from a wide region.
“We’ve been getting folks from seven or eight states come,” Portz said. “They make a weekend of it.”
Primitive tent camping and RVs are allowed. Electric hook-ups are available for $10 per night.
The festival is sponsored by the city of Festus, the Festus Tourism Commission and the Festus Parks & Recreation Department.
For more information, call Portz at 618-632-1384 or visit
georgeportzpluegrass.com. Festival information is also available on the Festus city website at cityoffestus.org.