Bean Blossom online.

Golf carts on parade?

At the world famous bluegrass festival in Bean Blossom, Ind.?

On Bill Monroe’s hallowed ground?

You bet! Golf carts are the preferred method of traversing the large festival grounds in south central Indiana, so it just seemed a natural to put them on display. Thus, the first annual Bean Blossom Golf Cart Parade is born.

It will be held during the middle of the eight-day festival, on Wednesday, June 17 ,beginning at the main gate at 3:30 pm. First-prize winner receives a gift certificate to the park gift shop. Entrants are asked to decorate their carts following a theme — Patriotic, Bluegrass or whatever.

The event is being sponsored by the Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation, the non-profit group that hopes to eventually purchase the festival grounds.

So much for four-wheelers.

The festival, billed as a tribute to bluegrass father Bill Monroe, is just around the corner — kicking off its week-and- a-day run this Saturday, June 13.

Here’s a day-by-day look at highlights.

Saturday, June 13th: Kick-off the festival with The Grascals, Larry Stephenson Band, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, Tommy Brown & County Line Grass and Bill Monroe’s son – James Monroe & The Midnight Ramblers.

Sunday, June 14: The Bean Blossom tradition continues with worship and praise led by Bill Monroe’s preacher – The Real Apostle Pastor Paul Baggett. Bluegrass gospel will be performed by the Sullivan Family, Paul Williams & Victory Trio, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, Tommy Brown & County Line Grass, Reel Tyme String Band and Harvest Wind.

Monday, June 15th: On stage: The Lonesome River Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, David Davis & Warrior River Boys, Monroe Crossing, Tim Graves & Cherokee, and Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show.

Tuesday, June 16th: A day for another Bean Blossom tradition — the annual Ham & Bean Supper and Miss Dixie Halls’ famous cornbread. On stage: Randy Waller & Country Gentlemen, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, Cadillac Sky, Wildfire, Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show and the 2009 Youth Bluegrass Boot Camp Band.

Wednesday, June 17th: On stage: Dailey & Vincent,IIIrd Tyme Out, The Lewis Family, Special Consensus, Wildwood Valley Boys, Lizzy Long & Legacy and Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road.

Thursday, June 18th: On stage: Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, J.D. Crowe & New South, Charlie Sizemore Band, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Special Consensus, David Parmley & Continental Divide, and Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain

Friday, June 19th: A day for the oldest of Bean Blossom traditions – the Bill Monroe Sunset Jam. On stage: Longview (featuring Don Rigsby, Lou Reid, J.D. Crowe, James King, Ronnie Stewart, and Marshall Wilborn); Ralph Stanley II, J.D. Crowe & New South, Jesse McReynolds & Virginia Boys, James King Band, Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition and Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain.

Saturday, June 20th: On stage: The Dan Tyminski Band, Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys and Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top Xpress, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, James King Band, Dixie Bee Liners, Goldwing Express and Summertown Road.

Throughout the four days, festival patrons can take in educational music and instrument workshops planned on the Artist Workshop Stage located at the top of Hippy Hill. There will be a wide variety of workshops including: beginning-advanced levels on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and more. All workshops are taught by either professionals or the artists performing at this year’s event.

Miss Bertie Sullivan returns to Bean Blossom this year to host this year’s workshop and showcase stage.

National and International bluegrass bands will be showcasing their talents on both the historic Main Stage, as well as, the Workshop Stage during the festival. This year featured will be the Country Saloon Band (Russia); Bluegrass Parkway (Australia); Hard Ryde (Canada); Tanzawa Bluegrass Band (Japan); Midnight Ramblers (VA); Lost River Risin’ (band contest winners); New Old Timers (IN) and more!

The 4th Annual Youth Bluegrass Boot Camp, sponsored by First Quality Music Supply,J. D. Crowe & The New South, Recording King, Central Indiana Bluegrass, will take place during the festival.

Included in the festival ticket purchase is admission to Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Museum & Uncle Pen’s Cabin self-guided tour; all music and instrument workshops and activities scheduled at the Artist Workshop Stage; access to all food concessions and merchants. Parking is FREE and handicap accessible.