PRESS RELEASE...For Immediate Release Thomas Point Beach brings Bluegrass to Brunswick Performers Include The Earls of Leicester presented by Jerry Douglas, The Legendary Larry Sparks, The Gibson Brothers, Balsam Range, Sierra Hull, and many, many more Brunswick, ME- August 9, 2018 – The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival will be held August 30, 31, September 1 & 2, continuing a Labor Day weekend tradition of nearly 40 years. The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival has solidified itself as a premiere event for both bluegrass aficionados and those new to the genre. It is recognized internationally for its fine line-up and beautiful venue. The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival was established in 1979 by Pati Crooker, of Brunswick, Maine, with the goal of bringing traditional bluegrass music to her coastal home. Since its inception, the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival has hosted over 200 of the best performers in Bluegrass music on its historic stage, from old down-home favorites to internationally renowned acts. Following Pati’s passing in 2016 her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Mulligan, decided to bring back the event with the help and support of long-time festival associate Shari Elder, as well as other park staff, industry experts, family, and friends. “Last year, we gave it a shot, we took a gamble, and it was the best decision we could have made” said Michael Mulligan. “After the festival was over, we took time to consider the future, and there didn’t seem to be much of a doubt that we would be doing it again in 2018.” Throughout the four day event, the stage show blends regional favorites with bluegrass legends and award winners, as well as a solid mix of traditional and the contemporary styles. The show kicks off Thursday with the Showcase Competition, featuring six outstanding up-and-coming bands, playing for a cash prize and a place in the Saturday Main Stage Line-up. The evening will be headlined by two past Showcase Winners, The Bluegrass Unit (2017 winner) and Twisted Pine (2014 Winner) followed that night by a hoe-down style dance under the seating tent. Friday’s show will welcome two bands to the Thomas Point Beach stage for the first time: Slocan Ramblers from Canada, and the Po’Ramblin’ Boys straight from Tennessee. The Slocan Ramblers, though rooted in tradition, are fearlessly creative and possess a bold, dynamic sound. The Slocans have become a leading light on today’s acoustic music scene. The Po’Ramblin’ Boys are among three of the five International Bluegrass Music Associations (IBMA) Finalists for Emerging Artist of the year, that are performing at Thomas Point Beach this year. Sister Sadie and Mile Twelve also share this distinction and will play two sets each on Sunday. Friday’s line-up will also feature The Lonesome River Band. Their current album, “Mayhayley’s House” is up for an IBMA Album of the year award. The Friday show will close with Grammy Award winner and Dobro extraordinaire Jerry Douglas presenting The Earls of Leicester. The band's music focuses on the music of Flatt and Scruggs, bringing this storied sound to a contemporary audience. Entertainment is what the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival is about, and it is telling that three of this year’s IBMAs Entertainer of the Year Finalists will find their way to the festival stage. Joining the Earls of Leicester for this distinction are Balsam Range and The Gibson Brothers. Balsam Range will bring their renowned vocal harmonies and fiery instrumentals to the stage for two sets on Saturday. One of Thomas Point Beach’s all-time festival favorites, The Gibson Brothers, will close the main stage show for the weekend on Sunday evening, followed by the antics of the Leroy Troy and the Tennessee Mafia Band on the Late Night Stage. Mandolin marvel Sierra Hull was first at TPB in 2007 at just 16 years of age. On Saturday she returns to show patrons how far she has come in the past 10 years. Hull wrote eleven of her current album Weighted Mind’s twelve songs. “The moment you start to be yourself, there’s an honesty about that, that people connect with,” she says. “This album feels like the story of my early twenties, of that searching. Now, it feels like everything worked out the way it was supposed to.” Saturday’s jam-packed schedule will also feature David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, The Feinberg Brothers, Merrimack Valley Bluegrass and Wilson Banjo Co. Wilson Banjo Co.’s fiddle player and vocalist Sarah Logan was born and raised in Maine and has been playing the fiddle and singing since she was 5 years old. She currently attends East Tennessee State University where she majors in their bluegrass program. Sarah grew up coming to the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival with her proud dad, Carter Logan of the Jerks of Grass. Thomas Point Beach is proud to welcome Sarah home with her band! Closing the show on Saturday will be an Anniversary Celebration of 40 years for Hot Rize, a band brimming with musicality and talent, including Grammy winning Singer Songwriter Tim O’Brien and Pete Wernick on banjo. When Hot Rize is in the house, you can bet that Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers will be nearby. The band travels in the back of the Hot Rize bus and occasionally finds their way on stage. The foursome plays 40’s and 50’s country music as well as you might expect from people who have mostly listened to the same jukebox for most of their lives. The Sunday line-up proudly features a living legend of Bluegrass Music, Larry Spark, known to many as “The King of Bluegrass Soul”. Sparks began his career in the mid-1960’s as a guitarist with the Stanley Brothers and later became lead vocalist for Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Larry went on to form his own band, the Lonesome Ramblers in 1969. He has recorded and toured with his band for nearly 50 years, releasing over 60 albums and delighting countless fans with his soulful vocals and unparalleled musicianship. Music starts at 1 pm Thursday, and 10 am Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The full schedule is available online at thomaspointbeachbluegrass.com. When the Stage Show is over, the best is yet to come, with the acoustic performances by the fire and under the stars and the best field picking anywhere! Four- Day, Three- Day, Two Day and Single Day tickets are available at the festival gates. Single day ticket prices are as follows: Thursday- $30, Friday- $55 Saturday- $55, Sunday- $50. Weekend tickets include FREE camping and are $165 per person (4 Day) and $150 per person (3 Day). Children under 12 years of age are FREE and Teens (13-16) Pay 1/2 the Adult Rate with an adult. A Single Day Camping Area is available for $25 per night. Additional amenities include food and merchandise vendors, workshops and family activities. Please call or visit the website for complete event information and policies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION or Press Passes/ Interviews, CALL THOMAS POINT BEACH 207-725-6009 or Visit the Web: www.thomaspointbeachbluegrass.com ### Information provided by Thomas Point Beach, 207.725-6009..