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By Gillian Stawiszynski

Contributing Writer

Jessamine County residents can enjoy cars, pets, art, food, and live music in one place during an upcoming event.

The Efaw family is holding their first annual Barks and Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Jessamine County Fairgrounds at 100 Park Drive.

Live music will be playing nearly all day, starting at noon. The bands include Lonesome River Band, Stanley Efaw & Friends, Larry Efaw & The Bluegrass Mountaineers, Fenced In, and Gary Strong & Hardtimes.

The car show also starts at noon. There will be two car classes for the competition; 1970 and older and 1970 and newer. It will cost $25 to enter a car into the contest. This fee includes all-access admission for one driver and one passenger. Judging begins at noon, and the hosts will announce winners at 2 p.m. Trophies will be given to first, second, and third place in each class.

All-access general admission at the gate for people 16 and older is $25. For children ages 12-16, it is $10, and for children under 12, admission is free. To attend only the car and craft show, admission is $10. An RSVP is not necessary.

No one will leave hungry- several food vendors will be available, like specialty dogs from The Dog Pound, Kona Ice, and a barbecue vendor.

Crafts will be hefty at this event, with more than 20 vendors selling woodwork, rock paintings, tumblers, handcrafted reefs, and more.

Upon entering, guests can bid on different items for a silent auction. A special quilt will be made for the event that each musician will sign as one of the items available for the auction. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

All event proceeds will go to Friends of Jessamine County Animals, Jessamine County Trap and Neuter Return Program, Jessamine County Animal Shelter & Polvino Family Animal Surgery Center. Pets are allowed at this event but not encouraged since shelter dogs will be available for adoption at the event.

“We would just really like to thank everyone, all of our sponsors and everything. This is a fully sponsored event, so we would really like to thank everyone who has helped us get this thing together,” said Maegan Efaw, an event organizer.

Be sure to clean up after your pets if you choose to bring them. Also, bring your own chairs if you plan on enjoying the live music. Chairs will not be provided.

For more information, head to the event’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BarksandBluegrass.