A bluegrass-gospel festival that started as a family get-together to honor the late Eugene Hubbard has turned into an annual fundraiser that last year brought in $3,000 for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
It’s the third year for Noblesville Police Sgt. Rich Hubbard’s Mountain Music in the Forest. This year’s pickin’ party, live and silent auction, and pitch-in meal will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Forest Park, Shelter No. 1, 701 Cicero Road. Admission is free.
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“We figure on it getting bigger and better each year,” said Gail Hubbard, 64, Cicero, Rich’s mom and Eugene’s widow. “We have our fingers crossed that we’re going to have nice weather.” Last year’s festival was cut short due to a thunderstorm, with two musical groups yet to perform.
Rich started the event in 2007 in honor of his father, who played guitar and dulcimer and loved old-time music.
“Gene” Hubbard worked 30 years for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and died in 2005 from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Festival proceeds benefit research for the illness, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
This year’s fundraising goal is $5,000.
Kroger donated a hog for the pitch-in. The Guitar Center donated a guitar, and Fussy Cutters Sewing Club of Cicero/Arcadia area made a full-size quilt in red and white for the live auction. Area residents and businesses donated other items.
Gail Hubbard plays the dobro, and her son Rich, 45, Noblesville, plays guitar in the Hubbard Family Circle. Her son, Ken Hubbard, plays banjo, and grandson Jeff Hubbard, plays guitar.
Their performance will open the festival at 11 a.m. Branded Bluegrass, By Grace, John Gilmore and Wiley Thompson also are signed up to take the stage.
The Hubbards ask folks to bring a covered dish, a lawn chair and a bluegrass instrument if they have one.
By Betsy Reason
