Lots of us have been teased about coming from Podunk, but how about going there? For the bluegrass fan, the trip sounds enticing.Enticing, as in the 12th annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Martin Park in East Hartford, Conn. It runs Aug. 2-5 with a stellar lineup of groups.

At this Podunk, the accent is on family, with camping available and plenty of activities for kids. The festival also includes a very un-Podunk-like menu of fancy dining fare.

Headliners for this year’s 30 hours of stage shows include Jesse McReynolds, Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, and The Grascals.

A new feature at Podunk this year will be a band competition. A panel of judges from the music business world will listen to seven bands and provide monetary awards to the winners. In addition, there will be a separate vote by the audience for “Audience Favorite Band.” For adults there are many music workshops over the weekend taught by nationally acclaimed musicians. These classes are sponsored by Podunk at no cost to festival attendees.

A highlight of Podunk is a Kid’s Kamp where children 8 to 15 have the opportunity to collectively learn some bluegrass music over the weekend, and then experience the excitement of performing Sunday on the main stage as a group for the entire audience. Several non-music events, such as games, crafts, movies and swimming are also on the list of activities for the younger set.

Oh, yeah, a word or two about that fancy food. The cantina’s menu includes what promoters promise to be “a tempting array of fresh cooked healthy food choices from a menu that changes daily, includes such fare as chipotle maple grilled steak, Caribbean pork tenderloin, chicken breast, baked salmon, vegetables, salads, vegetarian dishes and many more choices, including America’s all-time favorite, the hot dog.”

Podunk is headed up by Roger Moss, who is also director of its sanctioning body, the East Hartford Parks & Recreation Department.

All the details are available at www.podunkbluegrass.net or by calling 860-528-1458.

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The Johnston Bluegrass Festival in Johnston, Iowa, is right around the corner. The one-day event kicks off at 10 a.m. Aug. 4 with workshops. Music on the Polk County Bank Stage runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. This, the third annual festival, is held at 6700 Merle Hay Road.

Chicago-based and nationally known Special Consensus highlights the program bill. Also featured are Drivetime from Minneapolis, Minn., and several Iowa-based bands.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for seniors; $5 for those ages 12 to 18; and free for kids younger than 12.

Here’s a nice touch: Police, firefighters and military personnel showing proper IDs are admitted free.

And that exotic cuisine? BBQ, Mexican and Greek food will be available on the festival grounds.

Festival-goers are urged to bring their own chairs, and coolers are allowed. However, organizers ask that no alcohol be brought on the festival grounds.

Directions and other details can be found at www.johnstonbluegrassfestival.com.

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