High and lonesome sounds heard at museum Saturday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Great music, great food and a historic setting has made the Saline County Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival one of the most beloved events of county.
The Saline Creek Pioneer Village and Museum at 1600 S. Feazel St., Harrisburg, is the setting Saturday. The museum is a collection of artifacts in the old Pauper House. The grounds are a collection of historic cabins, a barn, one-room school, country church, blacksmith's shop, general store, river pirate lookout cabin and recreated blockhouse.
"It's a good line up. It's solid. It used to be people we really didn't know, but all have kind of proven themselves as something special," organizer John O'Dell said.
This year's festival kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with The Town Piper Paul Thompson of Marion. His bagpiped melodies are a nod to the Scottish and Irish roots of bluegrass and mountain music.
White Oak of Thompsonville takes the stage at 11 a.m. White Oak is a family band performing bluegrass and old country, led by Boot Shue, a legendary square dance fiddler in his younger years and staple of the Saline County festival.
At noon is Old Santa Fe with David Prosser, one of the most popular Southern Illinois bluegrass bands.
At 1 p.m. is Friends of Bluegrass with George Portz of Shilo, 2 p.m. is the Bankester Family gospel band, at 3 p.m. is the Phelps Brothers singing gospel and secular songs and then the day goes south, as in the deep Cajun south.
Wes Thibodeaux and the Cajun Travelers perform Cajun music from the bayous of the Mississippi Delta. The Cajun Travelers have become a favorite at the festival, though not necessary bluegrass. The accordian, fiddle, upright bass and guitar get the most exhausted feet tapping.
The festival ends when the Johnson County Cloggers' feet stop. This newcomer to the festival is a group of active men and women in Vienna who keep the folk dance alive. They perform at 5 p.m.
-- DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.