The coming end of summer spurs activity at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and Saturday’s Music Fest is the first event on an exciting calendar of fall events.

Music Fest is one of many down-home events sponsored by the museum and one that has quickly grown in popularity.

Calvin Bodiford, who for about 10 years was the resident musician at the museum, just couldn’t “retire.” His toes kept tapping and the music kept playing in his head. So, to “keep time,” he created the Music Fest, which is an opportunity for musicians to come together, informally, to “jam.”

“We call it a festival but it’s really not,” Bodiford said. “It’s a jam. Just a bunch of friends getting together to play – and sing. Whoever comes is welcome to join in. We play country, gospel and bluegrass and you don’t have to be experienced to play. If you have an instrument, bring it. If you don’t, I’ll find you a fiddle or something to play on.”

Music Fest will tune up around 10 a.m. Saturday and wind down around 2 p.m. or until everybody gets tired and wants to go on home.

Jerry Peak, museum director, said that during warm weather, the musicians gather inside the museum village to play.

“When the weather cools off, they will play at the reunion cabin. Right now, it’s just too hot to play out on the cabin porch,” he said.

The number of musicians varies from about four or five up to 20.

“Everyone is invited and anyone with an instrument is admitted to the museum at no charge,” he said. “Of course, those who want to just come and listen have to pay but the admission charge includes a tour of the museum and the grounds.”

Those who just happen to visit the Pioneer Museum of Alabama at Music Fest get even more for their money – the museum tour to the tune of old-time music played on acoustic instruments by folks who love to play.

A second Music Fest is set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at the museum.

Admission to the museum is $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for students.

As always, members are admitted free.

Memberships to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama are available year around. For more information about museum activities or membership, call 566-3597.