Leonardtown, MD – A much-anticipated summertime music event was one of the highlights of Southern Maryland’s weekend Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12. The 29th annual “L’il” Margaret’s Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival was held at Goddard Farm in Leonardtown. This year’s festival was under the management of local Bluegrass performer and promoter Jay Armsworthy and dedicated to the memory of Joe Goddard. Musical acts came from all over to be part of the festival. Groups from North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, New York, Ohio and, of course, Maryland were on the bill.
The Goddard Family first hosted the festival in 1989. Two years prior to that, Joe and Margaret Goddard’s daughter, also named Margaret, was killed in an automobile crash. “She is missed very much. The festival was one way to help her memory stay alive,” a statement from the family and posted in the event program read. Joe Goddard passed away last September.
Performers on Friday’s bill were Northern Connection, Randall Hibbitts and Appalachia, David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition and Flatt Lonesome. Booked on Saturday were Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass, The Feinberg Brothers, The Tyler Williams Band, Mickey Galyean and Cullen’s Bridge, and Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road. Armsworthy and Jack Tippett served as masters of ceremonies.
