There will be no shortage of opportunities to attend bluegrass and country concerts in Lunenburg and surrounding counties

Glenn Hood with Hood Brothers Garage Inc. said he will be hosting a series of bluegrass and country music concerts, with the largest concert taking place in October.

The October concert is set for Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. at the Kenbridge Community Center.

The two nationally known bands that will play, Hood said, are Lunenburg-based Appalachian Express and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers.

Hood said Mullins is the president of the International Bluegrass Music Association. He said Mullins currently has a hit song, “Guitar Song,” played by Bill McCurry and written by Bill Anderson.

Members of the Lunenburg Chamber of Commerce expressed their support for the concert during the chamber’s July meeting.

Hood said there will also be a series of concerts at the Victoria Restaurant, with the first concert being set for Friday, Aug. 23, at Victoria Restaurant. The featured musicians will be Tim White and the Troublesome Hallow.

Hood said the musicians are well-known in public television and are most known for their series, “Song on the Mountains.” Opening for White are Hood’s sons, who play in the Glass Chance Band.

The second concert, featuring Kevin Prater, of Kentucky and Hood’s son’s band, First Go Round, will take place Sept. 7, and the next concert, featuring The Kody Norris Show, will be held in November.

STEPS Inc. is hosting its first bluegrass festival.

The festival is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 31, from noon-7 p.m. at the Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) Hooper Park in Crewe.

In addition to good food, children’s activities and vendors, the event will also host a number of bluegrass artists, including Virginia-based The Church Sisters, Karlie Keepfer and Smokey Holler, Jeff Little Trio, Back 40 Drive and Walt & Agnor Band.

STEPS Executive Vice President of Finance Matthew Agnor said leadership with the nonprofit was looking for fundraising opportunities.

Agnor, a big bluegrass fan, said he has been leading the project.

He said there will be approximately 20 craft vendors at the festival, which include those experienced in glasswork, woodwork and crafting cloth items.

He said food vendors include the Bojangles food truck, Wooded’s food truck, Cotton’s Kitchen food truck and Waldy’s Ice Cream food truck.

Agnor said proceeds from the event will go toward STEPS Inc.’s workforce development programs. While he said one of the most well-known programs are job training for those with disabilities, STEPS also has job training for seniors and for youth who are out of school.

For those interested in supporting STEPS after the festival, Agnor said STEPS always accepts financial donations, but there are other ways to help.

He said people can use and make people aware of STEPS’ recycling services, its energy assistance program, its services for those who are homeless and its secure document disposal program.

Also, Agnor said STEPS is looking for volunteers to help with future fundraisers, which include the Farmville Christmas Show in the winter and the Soup and Sandwich fundraiser in February.

For more information visit the STEPS website steps-inc.org.