Music whose spirit comes from the mountains will soon reverberate around the Highlands hillsides as the Highlands Land Trust sponsors the Satulah Bluegrass Festival Saturday, Aug.24.

Four bands, one of which is from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, will perform from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Town of Highlands ball field on U.S. 64.

The lead band is Old Crow Medicine Show, a young group from Nashville that Doc Watson has said is his favorite new band. The other bands will be the Cashiers Music Company, the Wild Hog Band, and the Weasel Creek Band from Brevard.

Two years ago, the Old Crow Medicine Show moved from North Carolina to Nashville to perform at Opry Plaza and for the Grand Ole Opry’s 75th birthday celebration. They made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry’s Ryman Auditorium in January 2001. They have been the opening band for such stars as Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, Doc Watson and Del McCoury. The band will give two performances at the festival.

“We’ve been talking a long time about putting on some kind of regular fund-raiser, but couldn’t figure out what the community might appreciate, enjoy and support,” said Mike Cavender, Highlands Land Trust executive director.

John Warren, a board member and musician, related how successful a bluegrass concert had been in Cashiers a few years ago.

“These bands cover a wide sampling of great bluegrass and mountain music that should be terrific fun for the entire family,” Warren said.

Proceeds from the festival will be used exclusively for conserving threatened natural areas in the Highlands region. The festival is named after Satulah Mountain, whose summit was protected in 1905 when a group of local citizens raised $500 to keep a developer from building a hotel on the top. It is the first conservation property of the Highlands Land Trust.

Ticket are $20 general admission, $15 for Highlands Land Trust members, and $10 for children under 16 years old.

The new Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands will provide the barbecue and refreshments to raise funds for its community projects.

Seating will be on the ballpark grounds, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Parking will be available at the Town Conference Center and behind the Highlands Civic Center.

“We’re excited about this wonderful musical event. We’re getting some of the best talent we can afford and they’ll put on a great show that will get everybody’s feet tapping,” said Griffin Bell, Highlands Land Trust president.

For information, call 828.526.9938, ext. 25. Advance tickets can be purchased by sending a check to: Highlands Land Trust, P.O. Box 1703, Highlands, N.C., 28741.