Bluegrass fest becomes 'wintertime getaway'

The Wildwood Valley Boys are scheduled to play Saturday during Bluegrass in Super Class in the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg.

Sixteen years ago, someone told local bluegrass musician Robert White that it couldn't be done.

Who in his right mind would stage a bluegrass festival in the middle of the winter? In northwest Ohio? In a hotel?

White and his wife, Pina, pulled it off, staging the Bluegrass in Super Class festival, which enters its 16th year tomorrow and Saturday when dozens of musicians and hundreds of fans gather in the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg.

"This is our wintertime getaway," said White, 80, who is leader of Robert White and the Candy Mountain Express. "You wouldn't believe some people come from Florida for a bluegrass event, and it's warm down there and cold up here. There's no limit to how far people will go to a bluegrass event."

He expects 600 to 700 people for the event, which features about a dozen bands including Virginia Cross Ties, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys, the Bluegrass Legends, the Wildwood Valley Boys, and Lily Mae and the Dixie Gospelaires.

On both days, the music starts at 11 a.m. and "we'll run until we're done," White said.

Socializing and food are almost equal to the music for many of the fans, he said.

"They like to get together and visit and they like the music, there's no question about that. And they like to eat and we've got some eatin' going on there, too."

The 16th celebration of Bluegrass in Super Class begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow and Saturday in the Holiday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. Two-day tickets are $52 at the door; one-day tickets are $26 at the door. Information: 419-726-5089.