Gleaner file Honeywagon performs at the Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival in Henderson, Ky., in 2014.

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By Abbey Nickel, abbey.nickel@thegleaner.com / @abbeynickel

This year's Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival will have some new twists, as well as new faces working behind the scenes.

An extra day of activities in Audubon Mill Park has been added back to the schedule after a "long hiatus," extending the festival to Thursday through Saturday again, festival chairman Laura Peck said. Peck is also the executive director of the Downtown Henderson Partnership. The festival takes place from August 11-13.

"This festival is important to a lot of people," Peck said. "This year we've had new people coordinating the organization and we wanted to change things up and add uniqueness to an already great festival."

Thursday night will be a Mariachi themed night, featuring the band Mariachi Los Alegres out of Louisville, who will start performing at 6 p.m. in Audubon Mill Park. The evening is sponsored by Cancun Mexican Restaurant, who will also be providing food and beverages.

Mark Hargis, another festival organizer who has booked the talent for the festival for years, hopes the new addition will help add more diversity to the festival.

"I think this is going to help bring a lot of different cultures to Henderson," Hargis said.

A new beer garden near Audubon Mill Park will also be available on Friday and Saturday.

Wednesday night will have a kick-off event at Rookie's with local band King's Highway, which Hargis is a member of. There will be a $5 fee for admittance and proceeds benefit the festival.

"We want to keep this festival as a free event for families for as long as we can," Peck said.

The festival, which is in its 31st year, will run through the end of the day Saturday. Friday will feature several new bands and musicians, including Billy Strings, a guitar picker/singer out of Nashville.

"We're hoping to appeal to the younger crowds as well as the crowds that still love that old, traditional bluegrass music," Hargis said. "But no matter what, it will all be bluegrass."

Other events taking place on Friday include the Fox on the Run 5K and the first events of the Jammin' & Jumpin' Street Vault that takes place on Water Street between Second and Third streets.

On Saturday, the bluegrass festival will offer Breakfast in the Park , a full day of music on the main stage, a folklife festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and food vendors. There will be a harmonica workshop taking place at noon, and Minnie Black's Gourd Band will also be playing throughout the day, which is another new addition to the festival.

Peck said the festival has a reputation of having fun, family oriented activities and hopes to help continue that reputation.

"Saturday especially has so much to offer for families," Peck said. "This is a great way for families to come out and enjoy the riverfront, some great activities and good music. We hope this gives families a great outing before kids have to go back to school next week."

Both Peck and Hargis said the festival is continuing to seek volunteers to help with activities next week. For those that are interested, contact the Downtown Henderson Partnership at 270-827-0016.