By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Saturday’s triple-digit heat didn’t deter die-hard bluegrass fans from lining the stage at the county lake.

Neither did it intimidate first-time bluegrass listeners.

From nine feet in front of the stage to the Lake Hall parking lot, people packed in to groove to the music.

People sat in lawn chairs, on blankets, and even in kayaks to listen to twangy strains.

Huffy and the Night Train took the stage first Saturday.

As the band played “Twisting the Night Away,” three Wichita residents and their dog got up to rock to the music.

All said they had been bluegrass fans for years and travel to festivals at Marion, Wilson Lake, and Winfield.

Wichita resident Paul Radell brought his dog, Chester.

Radell might have gotten the “most longtime bluegrass fan” award if there had been one.

“I’ve been a bluegrass fan 50 years,” he said. “I’ve been going to Winfield (bluegrass festival) 45 years.

He said he’s missed only two bluegrass festivals – one when a new grandchild was born and one when he was in China.

Announcers hawked T-shirts that help pay for the festival.

“Buy one to commemorate the day,” one said. “For those of you who had a few too many, pick up a T-shirt and maybe you’ll remember tomorrow.”

An announcer for the band “Unfortunate Sons” brought loud laughter from the audience when he announced, “After the show tonight, we’re all going skinny-dipping in the lake,”

Audience members flapped and whooped their appreciation between songs.

Wichita residents Jacob and Anna Reed brought an open tent to provide shade as they sat in lawn chairs with their dog, Chapo.

Saturday was their first time attending a bluegrass festival, Jacob Reed said. “I like it,” he said.