ROSINTON, Ala. — If you want to hear some “Music guaranteed to stick to your soul,” then head on down to Rosinton United Methodist Church for the First Annual Bluegrass Festival Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

RUMC is located at the intersection of County Road 83 and 62 between Robertsdale and Loxley and admission is free, but a love offering will be taken to benefit the Methodist Children’s Home and Saving Grace Ministries of Baldwin County, said Bill Wade, RUMC Music Minister and coordinator of the event.

Five groups, The Jubilee Pickers and The Wayfarers from Daphne, The Ryals from Milton, Florida, The Sandspur Band from Gulf Shores and RUMC’s own group, Rosinton Bluegrass, will be performing with the Sandspur Band being the headliners.

The Jubilee Pickers are a mountain dulcimer group and a staple at the Jubilee Festival in Daphne every year, according to their web site.

The Wayfarers, also from Daphne, have Kevin O’Hara, Larry Harme, Steve Bauer and Richie Parsons rounding out the foursome and have been playing together for the past couple of years, their web site said, and are currently working on a CD project. They perform for different events and churches around the county.

RUMC’s group, Rosinton Bluegrass, has six members and has been playing together for three years.

“We mainly play for our church, local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior centers. We love playing and they are real happy to hear us so we keep going back. We are just happy to be singing and playing for the Lord,” Wade said.

Last but not least, The Sandspur Band, is made up of seven members from Gulf Shores United Methodist Church: Mel Middlebrooks, Clarence Bauer, George Hasenbein, Larry and Susie Davis, Neil Wade and Audrey Hasenbein, their web site said.

Together since 2002, they perform at local churches and events and for disabled and homebound members of their church. They have three CD’s out, the latest being “Gloryland”, their web site said, and they will be having a few concerts at GSUMC entitled “Stainglass Bluegrass” throughout the year.

In addition to the bands, RUMC youth group, CrossFire, will be grilling up hot dogs and sausage dogs and the ladies of the church will be providing the desserts. There will be a small charge for the food but Wade wasn’t sure of the prices.

There will also be a 9/11 recognition service included in the day’s events, Wade said.

“We are really excited about this festival. It’s our first one and we are just testing the waters. Our men’s group wanted to do something to help the children’s home in Georgia and Saving Grace (nonprofit Christian alcohol and drug treatment program for women) and we hope it’s successful and we raise a good amount of money,” Wade said.

RUMC averages around 140 to 150 members on Sundays with a traditional service at 8:30 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. with Sunday School in between at 9:30 a.m., Wade said. Sunday and Wednesday night services begin at 6 p.m.

Hoping for a good crowd,Wade said “200 to 300 would be great and we would be so tickled with that. We have such a loving church and I think anyone who came would have a good time.”

For more information about the church or the festival, call (251) 964-5988 Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to noon or Bill Wade at (251) 509-4713.