NAPPANEE – If you like bluegrass music, you definitely don’t want to miss the upcoming Battle of the Bands taking place Saturday at the Coppes Commons in Nappanee. Beginning at 1 p.m., there will be an open bluegrass jam available for anyone to bring an instrument and take a turn sharing their talent. At 4 p.m. the competition will get underway, featuring four bands, including Chapel Hill, The Guitar Banjo Band, The Schmidt’s & First Love and Rusty Nail Crossing, showcasing their talent for the local community. Each band will perform their best selections in two 30-minute time slots, hoping to win when you vote for them with your dollars. After the last band has given it their best shot, all four bands will join on stage and pick a few numbers while the pots are counted. Voting closes at 8:45 p.m. and the winner announced at, or before 9 p.m. to end the evening. Admission is free. Food items will be available from the Coppes Commons vendors including soft pretzels and cheese, sandwiches, soup and drinks. Finish it off with a cup of made-to-order ice cream. The event is a fundraiser for the 11th Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival, which will be held June 12-14, and will feature five bands, including The Grascals, The Bluegrass Martin’s, Audie Blaylock & Redline, The Guitar Banjo Band and Aaron Stutzman - The Yodeler. The festival offers opportunity to local jammers to use their talent at the free open bluegrass jam Friday evening. Saturday is a full day of the featured bands each performing twice. A free Sunday morning service will feature The Bluegrass Martin’s and be followed with a potluck lunch. The Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival is a not-for-profit organization and supports local charities such as FCDC and The Boys & Girls Club. Coppes Commons is at 401 E. Market St., Nappanee.
