NEW OWNERS WANT TO SEE ARROWHEAD REGAIN OLD GLORY

GRASSY -- Lee Roy Brown and his family were regular visitors to Arrowhead Campground for well over two decades.

Brown, who remembers sitting through a heavy rain shower with Jim Hendershoff, watching legendary bluegrass performer Don Brown entertain, wants to see the campground return to its former glory days. He and a concerned board of directors have reopened the camp -- closed in 1998 -- and are trying to once again make it the focal point for family fun in the region.

"Our intent is to bring it back to its old glory days," Brown said, "as the entertainment center of the area. People always looked to Arrowhead for something to do."

The park is now reopened, April 1 through mid-November for rough camping ($8 a night) or camping with electricity ($10). Restrooms, showers and a kitchen are also offered, as well as a monthly concert. Yearly rates are also available, at $375.

Arrowhead was considered the bluegrass capital of the region during the 1970s. Don Brown, who returned to perform last weekend, was only one of a number of headliners who once graced the Arrowhead stage. James Monroe, son of bluegrass creator Bill Monroe; Carl Storey, creator of blue grass gospel; Kitty Wells; Mike Snider (later on Hee Haw), legendary fiddler Chubby Wise; Onie Wheeler; Benny Martin; a young Allison Krause; and Grand Ole Opre comedians Lonze and Oscar were among the many featured performers during summer concerts.

"It was the biggest (bluegrass festival) in the state that I knew of," Don Brown said. "It drooped off a lot later, but the new management wants to do things right. They want ato get it back to the way it was."

The "way it was" includes a clean, well-kept campgrounds and river access, high-caliber monthly musical entertainment and a clean, family atmosphere.

"We do keep a clean, family park," said Lee Roy Brown, vice chairman of the board's Entertainment Committee. "We don't allow public drinking or vulgar language. We don't have to correct campers, though; it's a known expectation."

The response has been outstanding so far. The park opened in April and had some 800 campers over Memorial Day weekend -- much to the directors' surprise.

Arrowhead has plenty to offer.

"It has shade, plenty of electricity and the river, plus it's a beautiful place," Don Brown noted. "It has everything you need. They just need to get some good entertainment."

They have. Beginning with a contemporary gospel music festival in May, the park is hosting a different flavor of wholesome music each month. Brown was among those helping usher bluegrass back in last weekend, as part of Arrowhead's bluegrass gospel concert. Country music will be featured the Fourth of July weekend, along with fireworks parade. The weekend of August 13-13 will feature traditional secular blue grass. Country music will be featured Labor Day weekend and more blue grass October 1-2. A "Bean Fest" and chili cook-off will also be held that weekend.

The campground is located on Highway Y (just off US 34), on 94 acres of ground on the Castor River. Founded in the 1950s, it grew considerably during the 1960s and reached its zenith after Don Brown popularized blue grass in the area in 1970.

Lee Roy Brown describes it as "a quite, restful, serene place of natural beauty, with towering native trees, lush green valleys and well-manicured camping areas." A visit confirms Brown's description of the well-tended park and the undisturbed Castor River, where one may cool off and still hear the stage shows.

Arrowhead campers are a stubborn, loyal bunch. Unwilling to see the camp die, permanent campers Raymond Bollinger, Donald Bollinger, Lee Roy Brown, Hershell Gaskins, John Haas and Leonard Jeffries, bought the camp in January. Haas died that same month, but his wife and daughter continue to work at the concession stand. Long-time camper Tony Hunt is also still involved. He first camped there in 1955 and became a permanent camper (putting in a trailer) 10 years later.

"I've played in lots of different states, but I've never played any place I'd rather play than here," Don Brown said.

The new owners of Arrowhead hope a great number of performers and campers will agree.