LITCHFIELD — The annual Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival, one of New England’s largest family bluegrass festivals, is scheduled to run from Thursday through June 17 at the Litchfield Fairgrounds, 30 Plains Road.

Early bird camping begins Monday.

Organizers note the festival grounds have a new bigger and better stage that was built in 2010 and offers that “Welcome Home” country atmosphere.

“Everyone who has attended were very excited and loved our new hard grounds,” said Sandy Cormier, co-promoter of the festival along with her husband, Greg Cormier.

Again this year, there will be a threeday Blistered Fingers Kids Academy. Blistered Fingers and the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine have got together to create a free, relaxed, informative three-day music program for children for ages 8 to 18. The focus is going to be on how to play, sing and perform bluegrass music. Students will bring their own instruments and will commit to the three-day program.

The gates will open at 8 a.m. Monday. Weekend tickets for each festival will cover four days of music and camping from Thursday at 8 a.m. to Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Litchfield Fairgrounds Committee will serve hot meals in the café. Along with the café there will be several other vendors located on the grounds.

The entertainment lineup includes:

— The Lonesome River Band on Saturday

— The Little Roy and Lizzy Show on Saturday

— The Bluegrass Brothers, Thursday and Friday

— White Mountain Bluegrass, Saturday and Sunday

— Tony Holt and Wildwood Valley Boys on Friday

— The Bluegrass Diamonds, from Friday to Sunday

— Travers Chandler and Avery County, from Thursday to Saturday

— Original Condition, from Thursday to Saturday

— Blue Around the Edges, on Friday and Sunday.

— The Pine Hill Ramblers on Sunday

— Maranacook String Band on Friday

— Robinson Gospel Sing Along and Jam on Sunday

— Blistered Fingers on Saturday.

Tickets prices range from $10 to $20 per session or in combination with a camping package. All children ages 12 and younger are free with a paying adult. Dogs cost $10.

For more information, visit BlisteredFingers.com or call 873-6539.

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