BRUNSWICK — “The Bluegrass Special” returns to Thomas Point Beach from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.

The event revisits a beloved musical tradition, as musicians and audience members gather together for family entertainment. This year the event will expand with a fourth day dedicated to the fellowship and roots of bluegrass.

Bluegrass music is built on tradition, and for many, one of the most notable bluegrass traditions established in the Northeast has been held at Thomas Point every year on Labor Day Weekend beginning in 1979.

Since the first Thomas Point Festival — the first major gathering of national bluegrass talent in the Northeast — families have gathered “where the music meets the sea” to enjoy the high, lonesome sound of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Bluegrass Special combines the beauty and splendor of the Maine Coast with the sweet harmonies of bluegrass music to revive that tradition.

Thursday will kick off the events with bingo games and a “Showcase Band Competition,” where the winning band is selected by the audience and wins $1,000. The featured act on Thursday will be the everpopular Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

The stage becomes fully alive on Friday with headliners Dailey and Vincent from Nashville taking the stage by storm. The Grammy nominated duo have wowed audiences everywhere they play.

Friday’s schedule also welcomes first timers to the Thomas Point Stage, The SteelDrivers and Donna Ulisse, also from Nashville, the Quebec Sisters Band from Texas, as well as The Spinney Brothers from Nova Scotia, Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players all the way from California, and local crowd favorites, songwriter Rick Lang from New Hampshire and The Jerks of Grass from Portland.

Throughout the weekend, the stage show will feature Bluegrass legends and some of the most influential and accomplished artists in Bluegrass today.

A Grand Ole Opry member since 1964, Bobby Osborne and his Rocky Top Express returns to the Thomas Point stage for his fourth appearance, on Sunday. Another female power house will grace the stage on Sunday, when the band known as Della Mae from Boston performs.

Sunday will also headline one of today’s top traditional bluegrass bands, The Gibson Brothers. Their tight harmony blend and song writing have earned The Gibson Brothers recent IBMA honors, Vocal Group of the Year 2011, Album of the Year 2011 and the 2012 Entertainers of the Year Award.

Rounding off this year’s “People’s Choice” line-up are Balsam Range, The Boxcars, The Whites, The Travelin’ McCourys, the Ramblin’ Rooks, and Thomas Point Beach favorite, Leroy Troy and the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, all from Nashville.

Performances begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. each day. When the Stage Show is over, the best is yet to come, with the acoustic performances under the stars and the best field picking anywhere in the country.

Four-day, three-day, two-day and single-day tickets are available at the festival gates. Single-day tickets are $35 on Thursday, and $50 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry after 5 p.m. is $40.

Weekend tickets include free camping and are $150 per person (four-day), $135 per person (three-day) and $120 per person (Saturday and Sunday). Children younger than 12 years are free and ages 13-16 pay half the adult rate with an adult.

A single-day camping area is available for $20 per night. Food and gift vendors are located on site. There will also be workshops and children’s activities.

Call 725-6009 or visit www.thomaspointbeach.com/ special for complete event information and policies.