Music festival in Stoddard County today, Saturday

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A variety of music, food and fun can be found this weekend just east of Bloomfield, with proceeds going to two local causes.

The Stars and Stripes Museum and the Bootheel Youth Camp will both benefit from the musical charity festival to be just off County Road 510 beginning this afternoon and continuing through late Saturday night.

Sponsoring the festival is Blossom Hollow, LLC, headed up by Dexter native Alex Barney, who says there will be plenty of musical styles from which to choose.

"We're going to have about 12 bands," he says, "including some bluegrass, rock-a-billy, and Southern rock."

Some of the bands will be local, and some will come from the Cape Girardeau area. Among them are the Whitewater Bluegrass Band of Missouri, Dirt Foot, Green Relief, and The Big Idea.

Campgrounds are primitive, Barney says, and located in a scenic area of Crowley's Ridge.

There is a $30 fee at the gate for camping for the weekend. Tickets are also available in advance at Tootie's 225 Package in Dexter, Jerry's Station on Highway 25 on the east side of Dexter, and J&R Quick Stop in Bloomfield at a cost of $25.

A one-day camping fee is $15. Bands are expected to begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with the last band taking the stage at 11 p.m. On Saturday the music will begin at noon and continue past 11 p.m. again.

From Bloomfield, directions are to drive north on Highway 25 to County Road 510 and turn east. Signs will be posted along that route to direct campers and attendees to the grounds.

Barney adds there are no water or electric hookups, but that generators and RVs are welcome. Food and craft vendors will also be on the site.

Further information is available online at bloomheavyhammockride.com.