The Bear on the Square will celebrate its 27th year when the mountain festival returns Friday-Sunday, April 25-27.
The year’s event will once again feature a talented line-up of bluegrass musicians, artists, storytellers and more who will gather on Dahlonega’s Historic Square.
As usual, hundreds of musicians will be jamming around the Public Square in small groups starting Friday afternoon.
FRIDAY CONCERT FEATURING BECKY BULLER BAND
New for this year, the festival will be kicking off with a ticketed concert featuring the award-winning Becky Buller Band on Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the MainStage tent.
Buller is the winner of 10 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year and the first woman to be named Fiddler of the Year.
Her band features a talented group of pickers and singers, including Ned Luberecki, a member of the Banjo Hall of Fame, and mandolin player Wesley Lee who grew up in Dahlonega.
This is a ticketed event and proceeds will help fund the remainder of the activities and keep the festival free on Saturday and Sunday.
General admission tickets are available at bearonthesquare.org and will be sold at the door, if still available.
MUSICIANS IN THE MAINSTAGE TENT
The music continues through the weekend with free performances Saturday and Sunday in the MainStage tent.
Scheduled musicians include: The Wandering Hours, Compton & Newberry, Ugly Cousin, Curtis & Kim Jones Mountain Gypsy Music, Unspoken Tradition, Indigo Roots, BlueBilly Grit, and Pick & Bow.
On Sunday at 11 a.m., the Glenda Pender Gospel Jam expects its usual standing-room-only crowd for what is always a festival favorite.
ARTIST MARKET AND BILLY ROPER ART DONATION
The Artist Marketplace presents juried work from more than 70 regional artists.
Pottery, glasswork, wood turning, drawings, fiber arts, leather and jewelry are a few examples of the artwork that will be for sale during the festival.
Another new feature this year is the opportunity to purchase an original painting by local artist Billy Roper with proceeds benefitting the festival. Roper, who has been a Heritage Sponsor of the Festival for many years, donated his original art to help keep the festival free. His generous donation can be purchased at Old Storehouse Art across from Hancock Park.
MANY OTHER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
In addition to bands, jamming musicians, and art, attendees can enjoy storytelling, workshops, a contra dance and local wine and beer in the Bear’s Den.
Storytelling kicks-off in the MainStage tent at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday before moving to the Zack McConnell Stage in Hancock Park for the remainder of the day.
Numerous free workshops and demos are offered both days for festival goers who want to learn more about various aspects of music from banjo, to guitar, clawhammer, musical saw, flat-footing and more.
Local beer and wine will be sold for consumption in the Bear’s Den, the MainStage tent and within the park. Food trucks will be next to the park for festival-goers to enjoy.
A contra dance in the MainStage tent at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening welcomes all for dancing and more live music.
ARCHIVE CREATED BY UNG STUDENTS
The Bear on the Square website now has an archive of videos, photos, programs, and other history thanks to a class of University of North Georgia students.
Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis assigned her students the project of creating an archive of the festival.
Videos with founder Glenda Pender, and long-time volunteers such as Richard Davidow, Joel Cordle, Margo Booth and Sherry Moser are all posted.
Check out the project online at bearonthesquare.org/history-archives.
ABOUT BEAR ON THE SQUARE
Complete information about the Bear on the Square festival, including schedules of activities, details about the performers and artists, a listing of sponsors, an archive history of the festival, parking and other information can be found at bearonthesquare.org.
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Inc., which stages the festival each year, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit cultural arts organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the culture of the Southern Appalachian region, including music, art and crafts, and folklife.
Tax deductible donations to help the organization pay for producing the event each year are welcome and can be sent to P.O. Box 1015, Dahlonega, GA 30533 or made online at bearonthesquare.org.