Old Settler's Music Festival
Austin, Texas

When: mid-April [check for this year's dates]

Where: Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Austin.

The jaunty twang of banjos combines with the flirtatious inflections of fiddles in an all-acoustic, Hill Country homage that has attracted in past years such popular performers as Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek, the Del McCoury Band and Roseanne Cash.

Events: A "Settle In" jam jump starts the four-day jamboree, which rolls on throughout the weekend with performances by both regional and nationally-known acts.

Peter Rowan jams with Vassar Clements and Friends at the Old Settler's Music Festival Photo courtesy Old Settler's Music Festival and Austin CVB

A series of free workshops allows budding Texas troubadours to fine tune their skills, and the future of folk music takes center stage as adolescent singer/songwriters wow the crowd at the Youth Talent Competition.

Music is a blessing, and on Sunday you can listen to songs that stir the soul as bluegrass and gospel singers raise their voices to the heavens during an open air service, which is followed by an afternoon of acoustic tunes.

Shopping: Show your support for local musicians by purchasing a CD from one of the vendors in the designated music area, or find a framed watercolor or accessory hand-crafted by an area artist.

Children's activities: As Texan as a ten-gallon hat, "armor"-clad armadillos fascinate little ones as they speed toward the finish line during the Armadillo Races. Young animal enthusiasts can also make a furry friend at the petting zoo, while athletic preadolescents can scale the rock climbing wall, bounce on the moonwalk and shriek with joy as they propel down the monster slide. Storytellers and entertainers will amuse fledgling festival attendees, and a self-made doll constructed in the children's area will be a cuddly souvenir of the day.

For more information:

• visit www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org