Mossy Oak Music Park, considered by many to be “one of the best acoustic music venues” in the Southeast, will be the site of another great bluegrass and gospel music festival Oct. 15-19.

The 34-acre park at Guyton, owned and managed by the Rose and Lanier families, celebrates its sixth year of operation next week with another outstanding line-up of some of the best bands in bluegrass and gospel music.

“We’ve planned a great five-day festival with outstanding talent to celebrate our sixth year of successful operations,” said Rebecca Rose. “We’re receiving a record number of camping reservations and other inquiries for what appears will be a large crowd for us,” she added.

Headlining the festival’s program is the Lewis Family, considered the First Family of Bluegrass/Gospel Music. They will be joined by the Carolina Road Band, the Larry Gillis Band, Carolina Sonshine Band, the Hazel Holler Band, Lonesome Whistle Band, who hosts the big festival, and from Branson, Mo., Goldwing Express, as well as other groups.

If you’ve previously visited Mossy Oak then you know of its large, well-lit 700-seat pavilion and its seating space for another 800 surrounding the huge stage and pavilion.  The park also has full kitchen service, a snack shack, large playground, 1,000 square foot meeting house and museum, bath house, craft vendors, bathrooms at the pavilion, handicap parking and transportation, a bargain barn/indoor flea market open daily, and many other amenities. Golf carts and bicycle also are welcome. Camping hookups (electricity and water) are $15-$20 per night; tent camping is only $5 per night.

“If it’s traditional bluegrass and inspiring gospel music you like, then the live entertainment we’ll have on our big stage will certainly please you,” said Allen Lanier.

A special covered dish supper hosted without charge by the park on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. will kick off the big five-day event followed by an “open stage” for performers scheduled from 7-10 p.m.

“Thursday from 2-10 p.m. will be our special ‘all-gospel music’ day with each of the bands performing their best gospel music sets,” Rose said.

Friday and Saturday’s shows begin at noon and go until 10 p.m. On Sunday a special worship program featuring gospel music is planned for 8:30 a.m.

Full five-day festival tickets are $35 for adults; $17.50 for children ages 12-15; and, free for those under 12 years old. Daily tickets are also available for $15. No drugs, alcohol, or pets are allowed in the concert area.

For information and to reserve a campsite for all or part of the festival, call Rebecca Rose at 772-5142 or Allen Lanier at 772-3467 or visit www.mossyoakmusicpark.com.