IF YOU GOWhat: RootsFest music festival.When: Noon today-6:30 p.m. Sunday.Where: Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Road, Lafayette, Ga.Admission: $50 (three-day), $40 (two-day), $25 (one-day) at the gate.Phone: 645-9699.Online: www.roots-fest.comSCHEDULEToday6 p.m. Go Get 'em Sheriff6:45 p.m. Sparkz7:30 p.m. Baybee Invincible8:15 p.m. Foam Party9:15 p.m. Verb10:30 p.m. Robo Sapien n Saturday11:30 a.m. The Shaky Show12:15 p.m. Opposite Box1 p.m. Strung Like a Horse1:45 p.m. Glowing Bordis2:30 p.m. Hurley's Kickass Band3:30 p.m. Molly Maguires4:30 p.m. Cannonbus5:30 p.m. Deep Machine6:30 p.m. Digital Butter7:30 p.m. The Nim Nims8:30 p.m. Milele Roots9:30 p.m. Donna Hopkins BandSundayNoon. Danimal Pinson1 p.m. BJ1:45 p.m. Riot Punch2:40 p.m. Maycomb Criers4 p.m. Endelouz5:20 p.m. The Owls
When Ada Barnes founded the RootsFest music festival in 2006, it was basically an excuse to camp out with her friends for three days and help area musicians get their names out. After five years, that goal hasn't changed, she said.
"If I had gotten to the point where I thought I was getting off why I started it, I would not do it at all," Barnes said. "Every year, I leave with new best friends, and everyone can say that, along with newfound favorite bands."
RootsFest starts today at noon and will continue through Sunday at Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, Ga.
In addition to music provided by about two dozen local and regional bands, attendees will be able to take part in face and body painting, an acoustic music drum circle and view the work of local artists and dancers.
Changes this year include a dunk tank, a revamped children's tent, which will host movies throughout the day, and a more-focused approach to the DJ tent, which will host bass music tonight and house music Saturday.
At a time when many festivals are closing due to economic woes and slumping attendance, Barnes said RootsFest has grown every year. Last year, it it attracted about 500 attendees.
While she doesn't want to invite a jinx, Barnes said ticket presells seem to indicate the turnout this year will be even bigger.
With five years under her belt, Barnes said there's no magic bullet to making a festival succeed, but growing at the right pace has been key.
"I'm very glad we've made it this far," she said. "We took it year by year the first few years to see if it was something that would take off and if it was something needed around town. Since we're at year five, I guess it was.
"I have people tell me ... they plan their vacations around it. It definitely means a whole lot to people, based on the response I get."