HARMONY — The borough will host a bluegrass festival in September to raise funds for the community’s parks and trails.

The festival on Sept. 8 will feature national and regional bands that will play on two stages. Officials in Harmony said they hope this inaugural event will turn into an annual occurrence.

Sheetz will sponsor the main stage at the 1805 Harmony Museum barn annex on Mercer Road, while a tent stage will be erected on the Main and Mercer streets diamond at the center of the borough.

Susie Altemus, who chairs the borough’s parks board, said Friday the festival has attracted broad-based support as a community fundraiser with more than a dozen businesses providing financial support.

She said a core group of about eight residents has been meeting every two weeks to organize the event, which she hopes will expand into a two-day festival next year.

The bluegrass festival provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the historic community and its businesses, Altemus said, all while providing great music for a great cause.

“We think this is going to be a great asset to the town,” she said. “We’re hoping we can get people to come in and stay overnight and bring in some tourism. And, over time, we hope this can expand.”

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. on the diamond stage, while headliner Dry Branch Fire Squad will close the event with its second set at 8:30 p.m.

Five bluegrass bands will play during the festival, and each band will play two sets. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children.

There will also be other events like a bean bag toss tournament, which will also raise funds for the parks.

More information and advance tickets are available online at www.concertsinharmony.com