Powerful draw of bluegrass

And take big bites into bluegrass.

Bluegrass festivals abound throughout Virginia. From the tail end of spring, all summer and then dipping into fall, festivals from Coeburn to Mineral to Syria to Amelia attract bluegrassers -- musicians and fans galore.

Jimmy and Rachel Graves operate what's considered to be the state's finest bluegrass festival.

Campers from across the country climb aboard massive RVs, pickups, vans and whatever rolls and head for such events as the Graves Mountain Festival of Music. Some come for the day. Others stay for the weekend.

Either way, hospitality greets them.

"We started out as a family-oriented event," said Rachel Graves, "and we still are a family-oriented event."

So it goes with most bluegrass festivals. Mobile communities that swell to life for three-day weekends, bluegrass festivals may remind many of simpler eras in America.

Steve Gulley, guitarist and singer in the band Grasstowne, agrees.

"I like the sense of community at bluegrass festivals," Gulley said. "I don't think any other music has that. We see a lot of people on a yearly basis. They'll tell us to come up to their camper so they can feed us."

Food is a big part of festivals, but at least in the concert areas alcohol is unacceptable. And swear at your own risk. In other words, behave.

"It's very important," said Jimmy Graves. "The first year, we had some people who got drunk. We don't put you off the property. You go to jail. People want a good program here."

That's precisely the goal of Mark Newton. The veteran bluegrass musician has worked with the Graves family for nearly 20 years booking talent for the festival.

Just in Virginia, about a dozen major bluegrass festivals dot the year's calendar. That's good for fans and musicians. For talent bookers, however, the challenges are enormous.

"The market is really saturated," Newton said. We've been really fortunate to have a place that offers quality food and attractions for all ages."

The quality of music knows no bounds at most bluegrass festivals in Virginia. Care to see Ralph Stanley- No problem. Want to hear the Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent or perhaps Doyle Lawson- They are but a short drive away, too.

Festival attendees can find music onstage and off.

"You have a lot of people out sitting under a shade tree who are better [pickers] than we are," Gulley said.

Picking parties materialize throughout most bluegrass festivals, typically in the campground areas after the shows. Strangers armed with mandolins and fiddles and guitars and banjos gather in song and burn the strings off together.

"You meet people and you look forward to coming back and picking music in the field with them," Rachel Graves said. "There's camaraderie."

Bluegrass festivals have grown in recent years, thanks in large measure to the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou-" Word-of-mouth from hard-core fans to the uninitiated has also helped spur growth.

Then toss in the cost. Music fans can see loads of bands at most any three-day bluegrass festival for less than the cost of one ticket to see The Police this summer. And have money to spare for food. And gas to the festival.

Beyond the obvious, why should someone attend a bluegrass festival-

"The charm of bluegrass is that it appeals to all ages," Newton said. "Look in the crowd and you'll see grandpas, grandmas and children. It's passed on from one generation to the next generation. There's a common bond."

Most any bluegrass musician or fan will second the observation that bluegrass festivals are like family reunions.

"It's a slice of what America could be," Gulley said.

• Concert guide: The Festivals

• Listening guide