Friends of the late Rex Locklar have come together to continue the bluegrass tradition Locklar began 50 years age in the tucked away community of Henderson in rural Pike County.

Pete Austin, Bobby Jackson and Shelby Cardile are committed to Locklar’s legacy and to keeping the bluegrass tradition alive and, how better to do that than to “keep the bluegrass going.”

“We weren’t about to let the bluegrass tradition that Mr. Rex stared die,” Austin said. “And, the best way to keep it going was with bluegrass jamborees.”

Old Rex’s Memorial Bluegrass Jamboree got underway last night at the Henderson Music Park and will continue through Saturday.

Jam sessions will pop up all around the park day and night throughout the weekend.  Today’s stage shows will be from 6 until 9 p.m. and, from 1 until 5 p.m. Saturday. Following a Saturday supper break, the stage entertainment will be from 6 until 9 p.m. when the jam sessions will crank back up and there will be no stopping time.

“Several well-known bands have donated their talents to Old Rex’s Memorial Bluegrass Festival,” Austin said. “The Henderson Connection, The Benton Brothers, Hatchet Creek and Homeward Bound are some of the bands that will be on stage.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday for members of the Rex’s bluegrass family who died during 2015.

“We’re are keeping the bluegrass jamboree just the way Mr. Rex had it set up,” Austin said. And, that includes at the gate.

“The entrance fee is a donation to the restoration of the bluegrass music park,” Austin said. “Just give what you can or what you want. And, we’ll do like Mr. Rex did. If you had money, he’d charge you at the gate. If you didn’t he’d let you in anyway. The Old Rex Memorial Bluegrass Jamboree is to keep bluegrass going and to keep our bluegrass family together and to bring in new members.”

Austin said all of money taken in at the jamboree will be for the renovation project and the upkeep of the park.

“Not a dime of the money will got anybody’s pocket,” he said. “All 100 percent will go into the park. The building has been taken down and the kitchen has been converted to the stage. All the wiring is new and the grounds have been improved. A lot has been done and all the work has been volunteer. We just appreciate Mr. Wiley Locklar letting us continue to have the bluegrass jamborees at the park. This is where bluegrass grows.”