LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association said Tuesday it will postpone its seventh annual Old Time Bluegrass Festival as it works to negotiate with state officials on an agreement that would keep Anderson Marsh State Historic Park open.

AMIA wants to concentrate its efforts on preserving the park, which is on the list of proposed state park closures. If an agreement isn't reached, the park will close this July.

The organization currently is negotiating with the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement to operate the park so that it may remain open and available to the public, as Lake County News has reported.

“The negotiation process is lengthy and complex,” said AMIA President Roberta Lyons. “AMIA's goal is for the park to continue to be open on weekends, and at other times for school field trips, tours and other AMIA events, including the popular Old Time Bluegrass Festival.”

Lyons added, “AMIA realizes it must focus now on doing what is necessary to successfully carry out our new responsibilities.”

The purpose of AMIA – the nonprofit cooperating association for the state park – is to support the park and provide interpretive and educational programs.

If approved, the agreement will require AMIA to become involved in park maintenance, keeping trails open and paying for utilities and other operating costs.

Lyons said the need to focus AMIA's energy on keeping the park open forced the group to make the hard but necessary decision to postpone the Old Time Bluegrass Festival – held each September – for one year.

“AMIA is very thankful to all of the Lake County businesses and individuals who have participated in and supported the Anderson Marsh Old Time Bluegrass Festival,” said AMIA Secretary Gae Henry.

“For six years the festival has been the main fundraiser for programs at Anderson Marsh Historic State Park and has been a premier Lake County event,” Henry said. “For now, AMIA volunteers are devoting their time and energy to creating an operating agreement which we hope will be approved by spring.”

AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein assured the public that if the group is granted the operating agreement, the Old Time Bluegrass Festival will be back in September 2013.

“It is a great event for Lake County and an important fundraiser for the park,” said Bornstein. “At this time, however, because of the uncertainty of the park's status, the time-consuming nature of the negotiations and the work that will have to be done to operate the park during the first year, we felt it was best to postpone the festival.”

For information about how you can get involved with AMIA's effort to save Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org or contact AMIA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-995-2658.

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