Bluegrass Festival June 8-9 in Edgemont

The first annual Harter Memorial Bluegrass Festival is rolling into Edgemont June 8-9. It is a two-day event with the main event Saturday and “cowboy church” held the following morning at 9 a.m. The event will be at the Igloo Bar and is put on by the Southern Hills Artists and Musicians Association (SHAAMA), founded by Frank Gregg. SHAAMA’s mission is to promote and produce music in the Black Hills.
Gregg said some bands to expect at the festival will be Humbletown and New Cambria, but he is still looking for musicians.
The festival is in memory of Ed Harder, who ran a bluegrass festival for years in Edgemont. He passed a way a couple years ago, but recently his son came to Gregg and wanted to know what to do with some of the musical equipment of his fathers. Gregg bought the equipment and had thought about putting on the festival for years. With the equipment of Harter’s, the event is now on.
“COVID pretty much shut down an awful lot of things. Music was one of those things that went away and, we’re trying our best to bring it back. We would like to make Edgemont the music capital of the southern Black Hills,” said Gregg.
Those wanting to get involved or perform at the festival should call Gregg at 605-440-3776. And for those attending, there may be some bonus entertainment after each day’s events.
“If there are any musicians still around, we’ll probably have some jam sessions,” said Gregg.