CORNISH - The Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival scheduled for Thursday, July 24, to Sunday, July 27, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Taking the stage will be some of the finest bluegrass and acoustic musicians and bands performing in New England.

Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m., there will be an open stage.

Festivities will kick off at 1 p.m., Friday, July 25, at the Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds just off Route 25. Performing will be the Katahdin Valley Boys, The Bagboys, Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass, Breakin' Strings, Muddy Marsh Ramblers and Newfound Road.

Packed with music and dance, Saturday's festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with Newfound Road, Donna Hughes Band, Breakin' Strings, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Katahdin Valley Boys, Dailey & Vincent, and The John Jorgenson Quintet. Bluegrass, children's songwriting, harmony singing and other workshops will begin at noon. The New England banjo championship will also begin at noon and the New England flatpicking championship will begin at 3 p.m.

A gypsy jazz dance will begin at 5:45 p.m. with the John Jorgenson Quintet providing the swing. The annual banjo fling will be held at 2 p.m. A family barn and contradances will begin at 7:15 p.m.

Sunday will begin at 10:30 a.m. with performances by Bits and Pieces, Muddy Marsh Ramblers, Breakin' Strings, Katahdin Valley Boys and Donna Hughes Band. The festival will wind down with Rounder Recording artists Dailey & Vincent, currently No. 1 on the Billboard bluegrass charts. There will be a children's dance party beginning at 11 a.m. and the New England songwriting contest at noon.

Weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets are available at the gate or online for $60. Friday or Sunday only tickets cost $22 and Saturday all day, $30. Children 17 and under are free.

The festival is presented by the North Atlantic Arts Alliance. For more information, to view the entertainment and event lineup or to buy tickets online, visit www.ossipeevalley.com or call 625-8656.