This is no regular school fundraiser.

For almost two decades, the residents and visitors of Stapleton and the surrounding area, a small unincorporated community in northern Baldwin County between Loxley and Bay Minette, have enjoyed bluegrass music, arts and crafts, food and kid-friendly activities at the Stapleton Bluegrass Festival. While most who have been know it is an opportunity to experience a safe family environment where adults as well as children can run free and take in the day of music and community, most visitors often do not know the history behind the festival.

In 1983, a group of residents gathered at the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department to enjoy bluegrass music and raise money for the first department, the festival's website says. After seeing the success of the event, Bill Stough, along with Betty Stough, Rother and Ethel Goram, Royce Jerkins, Bubba Wiggins and other caring citizens, formed a committee to build a committee park. The goal was to develop a central location where children could play, families could picnic and locals could enjoy music and entertainment.

After about a 10-year hiatus, this Oct. 26 will mark the seventh festival since its return and now serves as the largest and most important fundraiser for Stapleton School, Principal Jim Perry said.

"The event has grown into a prominent and successful regional event," he said. "The current rendition of the festival was designed with community in mind. Our purpose is to not only raise funds for our children’s education but also to increase community involvement by providing a place for people to be entertained while growing lasting relationships."

Funding supports "much-needed resources to improve the academic and overall educational experience for our students. For example, profits from last year’s festival were used to help fund a significant campus-wide upgrade of classroom instructional technology. While these investments were a great start, there are many more improvements we hope to achieve for our students."

Held the fourth Saturday of every October, this year's event will be Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the school, 35480 Harriot Ave, Stapleton.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids age 5-12.

The lineup includes:

10 a.m. — Weary Heart

11 a.m. — FireTown

Noon — The Tennessee Bluegrass Band

1:30 p.m. — The Amanda Cook Band

3 p.m. — Fatman Squeeze

4 p.m. — Nu-Blu

There is an extensive play area for kids.

Food/beverage trucks will be on-site. No coolers or outside drinks, alcohol, smoking or vaping is allowed.
This is an outdoor event. Guests can bring chairs, as no seating is provided. The viewing area is a sloping lawn, so consider wearing closed-toe shoes.

For more information, go to https://stapletonbluegrassfestival.com/.