Bluegrass at the Lakes
Source: Bluegrass at the Lakes
Bluegrass at the Lake 2025
Founder and organizer of Bluegrass at the Lake, Carolyn Saylor, and Wood County Sheriff, Shawn Becker, were able to join James J. Malouf in studio for a recent episode of The Rapids Report. They discussed the upcoming event, its history, and more.
Founder and organizer of Bluegrass at the Lake, Carolyn Saylor, and Wood County Sheriff, Shawn Becker, were able to join James J. Malouf in studio for a recent episode of The Rapids Report. They discussed the upcoming event, its history, and more.
History
Bluegrass at the Lake was founded in the summer of 2018 by the Saylor family. They're goal was to raise money for organizations that matter to Brittney Saylor. Brittney was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II, and passed away that following November in 2018. The Saylor family continues that mission in her memory. In 2019 the Festival became a 501c(3) non-profit. They have since supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the South Wood County Humane Society. Over the past 7 years the festival has donated over $47,000 to their chosen causes. They are currently working in partnership with the Wood County CISM Team. They have partnered with this organization for three years.
Wood County CISM Team
The Wood County Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team is designed around a structured process that assists First Responders to heal from job induced traumas. It is a nationally-recognized program intended to provide support for those who put themselves at risk for their communities. With just this partnership over three years Bluegrass at the Lake has donated $18,200 to the Wood County CISM Team. During the interview Sheriff Becker emphasized the importance of this service. He credits Bluegrass at the Lake and the Saylor family for providing the support needed to provide it. Using the funding raised at the Festival the Wood County WISM has been able to sponsor seven wood county members, and 6 portage county members through Individual Group Crisis Training, Sponsor the training of a Clinical Coordinator in Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis, Hosting First Responder Mental Health Awareness day in the Spring, and more.
Lineup and Schedule
This year Bluegrass at the Lake is from June 12th until June 14th at Red Sands Beach in Wisconsin Rapids. They’ll be kicking things off Thursday at 6:30 PM with Southbound and “Taste of Bluegrass” by the Silas Powell Band. Then on Friday beginning about 4:30 you can catch Neosho River Boys, Art Stevenson & High Water, Silas Powell Band and Sortin’ the Mail ending around 11:30 PM. Then on Saturday beginning at noon with Hand-Picked Bluegrass, Silas Powell Band, Bigtooth Bluegrass Band, Chain Station, and Chicken Wire Empire. There are also other features at the festival, like concessions, a touch a truck event, and other family friendly activities.
Important links
To listen to the interview in full you can visit our website here.
Check out the Bluegrass at the Lake Festival’s website here for more information.
Laura was born and raised in rural Wisconsin, where she developed a love for radio. Shortly after graduating from High School she attended a trade school for radio in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. During that time Laura gained insight into how important local radio can be to the communities they serve. The connections made possible through local radio run by local people can become such a force for good in their communities. Which is part of what makes Civic Media great, they believe in supporting that force for good, and practice it statewide. It took a lot of life for her to return to radio, but she is very proud and excited to be a part of the Civic Media Family, and to work at WFHR and WIRI. When Laura’s not at the station she is a student at UW-Milwaukee (grad. Spring 2025), a mother of four human kiddos, one giant rabbit, too many houseplants, and an axolotl. In whatever spare time she can find she volunteers at Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater as an actor.