SANTEE -- Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile restaurant in Santee will hold its seventh annual Bluegrass and Country Music Jamboree over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6.

The jamboree is free and open to the public and will feature nearly a dozen different acts and an open stage session. On Thursday, Sept. 3, and Sunday, Sept. 6, the entertainment will be inside the restaurant. On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5, guests can enjoy music outside under the trees.

"I believe the jamboree gets better each year, with so many gifted bluegrass and country music entertainers being a part of it," said Pat Williams, owner of Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile. "The festival represents an excellent way for families to spend a very enjoyable, very affordable weekend as they wind down the summer."

On Thursday, the jamboree will kick-off from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with the Pine Hill Ramblers, a traditional bluegrass band from the Bolentown-Pine Hill communities of Orangeburg County.

Friday's lineup will include the Sweetgrass Girls from Summerville, followed by Flatland Express of Orangeburg County. Performances will run from 6 to 10 p.m.

A full slate of entertainment is planned for Saturday, beginning at 11:45 a.m. and continuing to 10 p.m. Entertainers include the Carolina Wranglers of Moncks Corner, Diamonds in the Rough of upper Calhoun County, the String Tide Band of Walterboro and Amick Junction of Leesville. Open stage will be held from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m., with a backup band to support anyone wanting to demonstrate his or her talents. There will also be a special appearance by 17-year-old Eden Graves, last year's Orangeburg Idol, who will sing some of her favorite country tunes, including several Patsy Cline classics.

On Sunday, three bands will perform inside the restaurant beginning at 11:45 a.m. with the Claude Lucas Bluegrass Band of Gaston, followed by the Maxie Branch Boys Bluegrass Band of Dalzell. To close the four-day event, Anna, Shelly and the Unnamed Bluegrass Band of Batesburg will perform from 4:15 to 6 p.m.

While the four days of entertainment are free, entertainers expect tips. The event is family-oriented, so no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile is just outside Santee on State Park Road. The restaurant will be open to accommodate jamboree guests.

For more information, call 803-854-2000 or 803-515-3938, or visit lonestarbbq.net.

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