Folk lures music fans to ranch once again

Music lovers this weekend will be treated to the work of the singers, songwriters and acoustic musicians at the 11th annual Will McLean Music Festival.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 10, 2000

More than 50 of Florida's best-known folk singers, songwriters and acoustic musicians will converge on the Sertoma Youth Ranch on Saturday and Sunday to perform for throngs of music lovers expected at the 11th annual Will McLean Music Festival.

In between scarfing down Cracker food such as hoppin' John, turnip greens, catfish and grits, folk fans can listen to icons such as Boomslang, Jeanie Fitchen and Hot Flash, swap folk stories and poetry, dance, attend music workshops or visit with fellow folk lovers.

Or they can join the Circle of Song near the camp sites.

"Our tickets are selling pretty well," said Mem Semmes, one of the organizers of the event. "Now we're wondering if we'll run out of parking (space)."

She was joking, of course. The ranch is smack in the middle of orange groves in southeastern Hernando County. It has several acres for parking and camping, though there may be something of a long hike from some spots.

The festival is Saturday and Sunday, but it starts unofficially at 6:30 tonight with a pot luck dinner and "contra dancing" at 8 p.m.

"This is the latest craze in Florida," said Margaret Longhill, who was instrumental in starting the festival following McLean's death in 1990. Contra dancing is a combination of line dancing and square dancing that appeals to young and old, single or married. The dance uses a "caller" similar to square dancing, but it is more inclusive, according to those who do it.

There is no admission for today's pot luck dinner and dancing, except "bring something to eat and share and something to drink," Ms. Semmes said.

Saturday's schedule includes folk, bluegrass, blues and eclectic styles of music by such people as the Morning Star Singers, Dennis Devine, Blues Country Band, Clyde Walker, PsychoGrass and others. There will also be segments of Celtic music, gospel and yodeling. For kids, there will be a lessons in making a musical instrument, the Snakes Alive! program by herpetologist Okefenokee Joe, a nature walk with William Bartram, bracelet making and a campfire with s'mores.

On Sunday, the performers include Mindy Simmons, Dale Crider, the New Sand Mountain Wildcats, Southwind, Dinella & Devine, Jon and Mem Semmes, Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters and blues and spiritual songs. For kids, there's a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts time and an awards ceremony.

Both days will have workshops in music and songwriting. On Saturday, the music workshops will be in fingerstyle guitar, hammered dulcimer, harmonica, banjo, guitar and fiddle. On Sunday, the music workshops will be in flatpick guitar, banjo, dulcimer, autoharp and harmonica.

A special segment in honor of McLean will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday.

The festival's Web site has a detailed schedule at www.willmclean.com.

• WHAT: 11th annual Will McLean Music Festival

• WHERE: Sertoma Youth Ranch in southeastern Hernando County. To reach the ranch, take Spring Lake Highway south, turn left onto Church Road, cross Interstate 75 and turn right on Myers Road. The ranch is on the right.

• WHEN: Pot luck supper and contra dancing, 6:30 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

• TICKETS: Free today; $10 Saturday; $9 Sunday. All weekend, $18. Campsites, $5 a night; hookups, $10 a night. Call (352) 754-3082

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