A collective sigh of relief was heard today in Ann Arbor when the organizers of the Water Hill Music Festival announced a ban on banjo playing during this year's fest.

From the Water Hill Music Fest:

Today Water Hill Music Fest organizers received a petition with over 500 signatures urging a ban on banjos at the festival. "I’m trying not to take it personally," said banjo-playing festival director Paul Tinkerhess, "even though I see my wife also signed it."

Tinkerhess says he's hoping for a compromise prior to this year's event on May 4, but he's not hopeful.

"I fear the ukulele could be next," he said.

Organizers of the non-commercial festival have started recruiting neighborhood volunteers to help them enforce the ban.