Summer's last song in the Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Washington County Bluegrass Festival has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the season for music lovers and park employees alike.

For the former, the outdoor fete at Lake Elmo Park Reserve showcases some of the area's top talent. For workers, it caps a busy and hectic three months of summer programs and gives them a chance to relax for a day and catch their breath before winter activities gear up.

"It is one of the more exciting times in the park department," said Park Manager Peter Mott. "We kind of bill this as a year-end customer appreciation event, to celebrate what has been 10 years of wonderful attendance numbers in the park."

As many as 3,000 to 5,000 people are expected to pass through the gates of the park reserve between 2:30 and 7:15 p.m. Saturday to catch the Barley Jacks, Monroe Crossing and the Roe Family Singers.

Some bluegrass aficionados will arrive early with blankets and lawn chairs and claim the choicest of viewing spots, Mott said, but with 2,200 acres in the park at 1515 Keats Av. N., there's plenty of room to spread out, and get a little groove on, too.

"We have little kids with their parents dancing in front of the stage," said Mott. "That is something special to see."

Up first this year will be the Barley Jacks, a trio composed of fiddler and mandolinist Brian Wicklund, guitarist Joe Cruz and bass player Kevin Rowe, who meld their expertise in bluegrass, classical, Celtic and R&B to create new sounds.

The Roe Family Singers will close out the festival with nine musicians crooning original music and contemporary takes on old-time tunes.

While the performers pluck their instruments, guests can interact with scores of vendors and explore the park's amenities, including playgrounds, hiking and horseback riding trails, and campgrounds, Mott said.

Over the past five years, more visitors have discovered the park. In 2006, the number of visits totaled 949,300. Attendance has been on a steady upswing ever since, with more than 1.39 million visits recorded in 2010, according to the Met Council Regional Park and Trail Survey.

The festival was started a decade ago when park officials were trying to come up with an event that would appeal to a cross-section of users. Current Washington County Parks Director John Elholm saw a bluegrass festival in Minneapolis and suggested that the Lake Elmo Park Reserve try a similar event just after Labor Day. The idea has definitely caught on, Mott said.

"It did what it was supposed to do," he said. "This is the most multi-generational audience I see at park events. This is meant to be a fun, affordable afternoon as we move into a new season."