Staff report

RIO GRANDE — A fresh lineup of entertainment has been scheduled for the 36th annual Bob Evans Farm Festival Oct. 13-15.

Seven new acts will be featured throughout the weekend, along with two returning festival favorites, according to Bob Evans Farm Manager Ray McKinniss.

“Our goal this year is to offer more variety for festival guests and to have something different every day,” McKinniss said. “In addition to traditional country, bluegrass and Dixieland Jazz, visitors to the festival in Rio Grande will hear classic rock, modern pop country, new country, contemporary gospel, oldies and even comedy.”

Chuck Lipps, vice president of the entertainment booking agency Rick Modesitt & Associates, said the new entertainment format offers “something for everyone, whether age eight or 80. Since the entertainment changes daily, visitors will want to return the next day to see different performers.”

Musical groups will perform on the Homestead Stage during festival hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition, they will be featured at special “in the holler” evening shows from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday during the festival.

The farm’s wagon shuttle service will take visitors from the parking lot to the Holler Stage during those hours. Guests should bring a lawn chair to the free evening performances.

New musical entertainment this year includes Plan B (classic rock), ShhhBang (modern pop country), Adam D. Tucker and Custom Built (new country), Insured Sound (oldies and variety), The Shaffers (contemporary gospel), Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys (progressive bluegrass) and the Joe Freeman Band (bluegrass and comedy).

Returning favorites are Jerry Weaver’s Goodtime Jazz Band and The Smokin’ Section will round out the musical selection with Dixieland and classic country sounds.

In addition, the Grande Chorale of the University of Rio Grande will perform on the Clogging Stage Friday and stroll through the grounds Saturday and Sunday. More than 700 cloggers and line dancers will also appear nonstop throughout the weekend on the Clogging Stage.

“There will be something for everyone to enjoy,” McKinniss said, noting the festival also includes crafters, traditional demonstrators, contests, children’s activities and food.

The festival will be held at the Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages six to 13 and free for children age five and under. School groups are also admitted free.

A complete schedule of activities, entertainment and demonstrations is available at www.bobevans.com.

The Bob Evans Farm in Southeastern Ohio was home to Bob Evans, founder of Bob Evans Farms Inc. and his wife Jewell for nearly 20 years. They raised six children in the large, brick farmhouse known as the Homestead.

The Homestead, once a stagecoach stop and an inn, is now a corporate museum and historical center. It is open daily during the festival and admission is free.

Entertainment Schedule:

Friday, Oct. 13

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. — Plan B

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — ShhhBang

Noon and 3 p.m. — Adam D. Tucker and Custom Built

7:30 to 10 p.m. — “Friday night in the Holler” with Jerry Weaver’s Goodtime Jazz Band, Insured Sound and Adam D. Tucker and Custom Built

Saturday, Oct. 14

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. — Jerry Weaver’s Goodtime Jazz Band

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — Insured Sound

Noon and 3 p.m. — Smokin’ Section

7:30 to 10 p.m. — “Saturday night in the Holler” with Joe Freeman Band, The Smokin’ Section and Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys

Sunday, Oct. 15

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — The Shaffers

Noon and 3 p.m. — Joe Freeman Band

1 p.m. and 4 p.m. — Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys