By MATT LINDSEY

MADRID -- The 24th annual Madrid Bluegrass River Festival will be held June 27 through 30 with anticipated performances from about a dozen bluegrass groups.

Other events featured this weekend include the 13th children’s fishing derby, musical workshops and fireworks.

“There will be lots of prizes for the kids. For the biggest fish and most fish caught and more,” said event organizer Les Haas.

Fireworks will be set off June 28 at 10 p.m. following the door prize drawing at 9:55 p.m. and a guitar raffle at 8 p.m.

Haas said the family friendly event is likely to see the return of face painting and a clown. There is also a large playground, a variety of food and plenty of live music to keep children entertained.

Barb Heller of North Country Public Radio will emcee the event with music and dancing starting at 3 p.m. Friday for $10; from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday fro $18 and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $12.

Full weekend admission will be $35 for adults, with children under 12 free if accompanied by an adult. Rough camping will be available for $8 per night.

“The featured band this year will be the well-known Pennsylvania-based bluegrass band Boarder Ride,” Haas said.

Ohio-based band Fossil Creek Band will make their debut at the festival as well, Haas said.

Friday’s music will kick off with an open stage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pat Ashley at 2 p.m., Spare Change at 3 p.m., Lake Effect Bluegrass at 4 p.m., Generation Gap at 5 p.m., Old Barn Boys at 6 p.m., Possum Haw at 7 p.m., Border Ride at 8 p.m. and a county dance in the community building at 9 p.m.

Saturday’s events begin with entertainment from Pat Ashley at 9 a.m. and the Atkinson family at 10 a.m., Spare Change at 11 a.m., Lake Effect Bluegrass at noon, a mandolin workshop with Dave Nichols at 1 p.m., Possum Haw at 1 p.m., Fossil Creek at 2 p.m., a banjo workshop with Dick Atkinson at 3 p.m., Old Barn Boys at 4 p.m., Atkinson Family at 5 p.m., how to build a guitar workshop at 5 p.m., Lake Effect Bluegrass at 6 p.m., Possum Haw at 7 p.m., Fossil Creek at 8 p.m. and Border Ride at 9 p.m.

Saturday events will also include a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., concessions available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the fishy derby will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and a guitar raffle at 8 p.m.

“We have had some music workshops in the past, such as the guitar making workshop, and we will offer a songwriting workshop this year too,” Haas said.

Sunday will include Madrid Gospel at 10 a.m., Spare Change at 11 a.m., Pat Ashley & Crew at noon, Atkinson Family at 1 p.m., Old Barn Boys at 2 p.m. and Fossil Creek at 3 p.m.

There will also be a Sunday all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m., concessions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a chainsaw carving raffle drawing at noon, and a gas grill drawing at 1 p.m.

An ice cream social is planned for June 25 with music from the Norwood Brass Firemen and an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner feed will be served June 26. Vendors, crafters and door prizes round out activities planned for the weekend.

For more information or to sign up for open stage time, contact Les Haas at 322-4093 or Tammy Hawkins at 323-5060 or visit www.madridbluegrassfestival.com.