| MAYVILLE — The strains of banjo, guitar and mandolin once again graced Mayville's Lakeside Park as the Mayville Bluegrass Festival began Saturday.
Now in its seventh year, the festival welcomed an eclectic group of performers, from local groups to national names, old hands to young stars.
Bill Ward, festival organizer, said he was especially pleased to welcome teenage performers Ryan Holladay and Sierra Hull — billed as the ''Futures of Bluegrass'' — to the festival.
''We've been able to develop a relationship with some young folks,'' Ward said. ''It's been great to get to know them.''
Holladay, 16, has been playing bluegrass for the better part of his life. He says his father introduced him to the music, which he's loved ever since.
''I've spent my entire life playing bluegrass, and I haven't gotten tired of it,'' Holladay said.
The young performer has already released three albums. His latest, ''New Kid in Town,'' was released last year by Skaggs Family Records. He is also credited as being the youngest performer ever to play Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, having performed there at the age of five.
But despite his success, Holladay said his favorite thing about playing bluegrass is meeting other artists at festivals and concerts.
''I love everything about it,'' Holladay said. ''It's such a social thing. You can go up to anybody and they'll be real personable.''
Ms. Hull, 16, has been playing bluegrass for half her life. Like Holladay, she was introduced to the genre by her father.
''I had a dad who liked it, then I got hooked on it,'' she said. ''I've been doing it long enough that I have so many friends.''
Ms. Hull has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry and on the PBS All-Star Bluegrass Celebration. She also co-hosted an educational DVD with Holladay called ''Discover Bluegrass.''
The festival also welcomed local talent, including Matt Homan of The Haybalers. Homan was in the audience for the first five years of the festival, and this is his second year performing there. He said the festival inspired him to form a band.
''I used to sing bluegrass with my dad,'' Homan said. ''I always liked the music, and the festival reminded me how fun it is.''
At the other end of the spectrum, Jack Lawrence has been playing bluegrass professionally since 1970. Best known as Doc Watson's partner, this is Lawrence's second year playing the festival.
Lawrence said he's surprised to realize he's been in the business for almost 40 years.
''It seems like a long time, but it's really flown by,'' he said.
For Ward, the success of the festival is all about building relationships between artists and audience.
''A lot of the musicians and the crowd maintain relationships year after year,'' Ward said. ''People say it's nice here.''
The Bluegrass Festival continues today beginning at 11 a.m. at Mayville's Lakeside Park. The last performance is at 8 p.m. Jamestown Post Journal
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