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Music festival helps revitalize Union Mills Learning Center

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The sounds of fiddles and banjos will again fill the air around the Union Mills Learning Center during the Third Annual Music at the Mills Bluegrass & Arts Festival May 15 and 16.

"Last year 600 people attended the festival," said Justin Conner, president of the Union Mills Learning Center. "We have three headliners this year - Darrin and Brooke Aldridge, David Holt and Mountain Faith - and a dozen or so other bands."

The festival, Conner explained, grew out of a Friday night bluegrass concert series hosted at the Center. The concerts, as well as a monthly breakfast, serve as a means of fundraising for the Center, which was once Union Mills School and Round Hill Academy. A four phase restoration project on the main building, gym and surrounding property began in 2000. Since that time renovations have been made to the roofs on the main building and gym and the auditorium has been refinished. This year, Conner added, replacing the windows is one of the major focuses.

"We also want to get the gym fixed with keypads and put fitness equipment in for members to be able to use," he said. "It would be another incentive for our members."

Memberships are $12 per year, and include discounts to the bluegrass and arts festival and monthly breakfast.

The Center is governed by a board of directors, and all have ties to the building, Conner said. Conner, as well as his father, attended Union Mills School.

"I think about him going to school there," Conner said. "It hasn't changed a bit, and we've tried to keep it as original as possible."

The concert series and other community events, and the leasing of rooms to local businesses, have allowed the building to remain a vital part of the community.

"It makes me feel good that we've kept the building alive," he said.

The bluegrass festival will showcase the building and grounds, with musical groups and jam sessions scheduled across the facility. The event will be emceed by WNCW music host Dennis Jones.

Tickets for the Music at the Mills Bluegrass and Arts Festival are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate (UMLC members receive $2 off ticket prices.) Children 12 and younger admitted free. Tickets may be purchased online at unionmillslearningcenter.org or in person at the Center, Barley's Taproom, Gilkey General Store or The Twisted Pear.

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