To Learn more about our Events read on, or CLICK HERE for the FULL SCHEDULE.

THE FAIRBUILT GUITAR & WEBER MANDOLIN PICKIN' CONTEST
Saturday, September 26th @ 11 a.m.
Compete for one of Fairbuilt's fine hand-made guitars and a spankin' new Weber Bitterroot F-Style Mandolin. Each contestant will play one song of 4 minutes or less that is traditional in style. $30 per entry. No Watermelon Park Fest 2009 Performers may enter or accompany. Judges have the final say and will announce the winner following the contest. The Winner will receive a New Custom-made Fairbuilt Guitar or Weber Mandolin and a performance slot during the evening's concert. View the instruments and see past winners of the guitar contest at www.fairbuilt.com.

THE WATERMELON PARK FEST BAND CONTEST
Saturday, September 26th @ 12 p.m.
New in 2009, the Watermelon Park Fest Band Contest is FREE with the purchase of weekend passes for the band. Contest will take place Saturday, September, 26, 2009 from 12noon-3pm with winner announced at the end of the contest. We will accept registrations from a maximum of 25 bands, so register ASAP. To register, call 540-955-1621 or email office [at] shepherdsford.com and Include band name, band description, contact name, email address, phone, and address.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

WORKSHOP: BRUCE MOLSKY & SOUTHERN OLD-TIME FIDDLING
Friday, September 25th @ 2 p.m.
Join Bruce as he demonstrates and talks about the history of old-time southern Appalachian fiddling. A two-time Grammy nominee, Bruce is a much sought after performer and teacher of fiddle and banjo. He teaches regularly at the Mark O'Conner Fiddle Camp, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason's 'Ashokan' and many others.
More on Bruce at www.brucemolsky.com

WORKSHOP: RANDY WALLER & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN LEGACY
"Moving Into the Future"
Friday, September 25th @ 3 p.m.
Randy Waller will talk with the audience and take questions about the history and legacy of The Country Gentlemen as well as the direction the band would like to take in the future. But bring your instruments as well, and join the Country Gentlemen in a pickin’ jam on some popular CG tunes.

WORKSHOP: BACKUP GUITAR & BOUZOUKI WITH ZAN MCLEOD
Thursday, September 24th @ 4 p.m.
Join Zan in a discussion and demonstration of how to play back up in irish, old-time, bluegrass, and jazz, (and maybe a style we haven't thought of). Zan Has played on Hundreds of albums, w/ countless great artists. This workshop is a must for anyone that plays guitar or Bouzouki. For more info visit zan at www.zanmcleod.com

WORKSHOP: BLUEGRASS SLOW JAM
Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. | Friday @ 1:00 p.m. | Saturday @ 1:30 p.m.
Let's Pick! Join Mike Ward in a jam session for players of all ages and skill levels, but especially geared toward beginners. This workshop will focus on playing and singing classic bluegrass tunes at a moderate pace for all to enjoy.

THURSDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY: THE SPEAKEASY BOYS
Thursday, September 24th @ 11 p.m.
Come shake a leg in a rowdy freestyle dance party Speakeasy Style.

CAJUN DANCE WITH CEDRIC WATSON & BIJOU CREOLE
Friday, September 25th @ 11:00 p.m.
Cajun-style dance party. O yeah.

THE MOUNTAIN MEDIA SYSTEMS KID'S TENT
Friday, September 25th @ 2-6 p.m., Saturday, September 26th @ 12-6 p.m.

Activities:
Please note that all activities are subject to change and a schedule will be posted at the tent during the festival. Some activities may include a small fee to cover materials.

River Science:
Middle School Science teacher, John Schneider, will do two one hour programs on the Ecology, Health, and Stewardship of the Shenandoah River, including some story telling. One session on Friday will be geared toward 3-7 year olds, the other on Saturday toward 8 year olds and up. Wear river shoes if you have them.

Make Your Own Instruments:
Dave and Lisa Coe of Mountain Media Systems will help kids making their own instruments from recycled materials. Then kids can use the instruments to play in the Youth Jam with the Polka Dots (see below). Help out by bringing donations of the following recycled materials: buckets (1 gallon to 5 gallon), shoe boxes with lids, wire, string, nuts and bolts, straws, pipe cleaners, plastic eggs, coffee cans, paint sticks, or other wooden stick scraps. Contact Dave Coe to arrange donations: david@mountainmediasystems.com

Polka Dots’ Youth Jam:
Bring your instruments, real or made at our workshop above, and jam with the Polka Dots, Saturday afternoon just before the main stage acts begin.

Hoops, Hoops, Hoops:
Boom Town Hoop Troupe will be on site to show kids and adults the basics and some tricks. So bring the hoop you made last year, buy one from Boom Town, or borrow one of ours and get your hips swinging.

Chutes and Balls:
A big hit with the under-5-foot crowd at Park Fest 2008, Laura the Chute Lady returns to lead parachute games Friday and Saturday.

Instrument Petting Zoo:
Kids can touch and try out playing a variety of instruments like those played on the big stage.

The Watermelon Boat Float:
Bring your own watermelon or use one of ours and design and build your own watermelon boat. See if you can win our big Watermelon River Race, Saturday afternoon before the Youth Jam. Parents must accompany all children in the boat race. Led by Dave and Lisa Coe

Face Painting:
Get artwork on your face for a small donation.

Recycled Colors:
Do some coloring in your own special, recycled paper coloring book.

RULES:
The Kids’ Tent is NOT DAYCARE. Parents must accompany all children under 9 while in the Kids’ Tent.

Parents are responsible for their own children’s safety and behavior at all times. Unsafe or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and those who cannot follow the rules may be asked to leave.

A parent must accompany children in the river for the Watermelon Boat Launch.

There may be a small fee for supplies with some activities. Donations are gladly accepted.

All our Kids’ Tent staffers are volunteering their time to create enjoyment for your child. Please treat them with the grace and respect they deserve.