GrassStreet, a unique bluegrass ensemble that hails from Henderson and beyond, has long been a fan favorite at the Creedmoor Music Festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The festival, which has its roots as an acoustic bluegrass festival, has evolved over the years to include a diverse mix of country, rock, alternative and bluegrass genres. That’s what makes GrassStreet, which sports some rock, blues and jazz influences, such a great fit, says band leader Wayne Kinton, founding member of the band, who remembers when the event started on a resident’s front porch.

Kinton has been involved with the Creedmoor Music Festival since its inception. GrassStreet, he explains, plays contemporary tunes based on traditional stylings, a mixture of bluegrass standards and original compositions. The current group is a derivative of the band Swift Run which has performed regionally since the early ’80s. 

A Henderson native, Kinton plays a 1951 Martin D-18 on stage. On Saturday, GrassStreet can be expected to play a mix of gospel and classic rock songs — from Hank Williams to Bob Seger.

Kinton praised the Creedmoor Music Festival and its organizers for making sure the show has gone on all these years.

“This festival has hung with it and they built on what they had,” he said after the band’s set at last year’s festival. “They had competent and able help, they had a large volunteer pool and they were very well organized. This festival is unusual because it is still here and it is thriving.”

In addition to GrassStreet, free musical performances include the South Granville High School Chorus kicking off the festival at 10 a.m. with the National Anthem followed by seven talented bands performing gospel, country, rock and the aforementioned bluegrass on two stages.

The Sanderford Stage kicks off with local gospel artists, Atonement at 10:30 a.m. followed by GrassStreet at noon. At 2 p.m., Nathan Pope, winner of the top 10 under 20 in the Dallas International Guitar Show, steps on the stage followed by “Got To Be NC” vocal finalist, Grace Lucia.

Granville County’s own Bryan’s Hill Band rocks the Southern States Stage beginning at 10:45 a.m. followed by the sparkly, multi-genre songstress Megan Doss at 1 p.m. Country crooner Tim Cifers steps on the stage at 3:15 p.m.

Along with more than 100 craft, food and other vendors lining Main Street between Lyon and Park streets, Bull City Throwback Cruisers will host a Car Cruise In at the south end of the festival, with a display of cars, trucks and bikes. Local breweries, White Street Brewing Company, Inc and Tobacco Wood Brewing Co., will be on site selling craft beer for attendees to enjoy within the festival boundaries. And for the kids there will be free inflatables and face painting vendors in the Kid’s Corner.

Visit cityofcreedmoor.org/MusicFestival for additional information.

Can’t make it to Creedmoor? GrassStreet will be at N.C. State Fair on opening day Oct. 12 on the Heritage Circle Stage for four shows at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.