Submitted photo

Pictured (from left) are Mazie Camp and Evelyn Bledsoe holding the handmade quilt that Camp has made that will be given away at the 30th Annual Singing of the Pines.

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NEW HAVEN — Plans for the 30th Annual Singing in the Pines gospel sing are just about complete and those involved are more than ready to get started.

The Singing in the Pines gospel sing is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, June 15, and 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, at the Union Campground near New Haven. Performance signups for those days begin at 5 p.m. and noon, respectively, and the admission is free.

In addition to the two day gospel sing on the weekend, events begin on Monday evening and continue through Thursday. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, a series of homecoming campmeetings will start featuring preacher, and Singing in the Pines Founder, Kenneth Bledsoe.

It was reported that in 1983, Bledsoe was approached by the Mason County Gospel Singers Association about starting an outdoor gospel sing for an outreach project. That project became the annual Singing in the Pines, and he has continued to lead the operation and growth of the event.

Following Monday night’s campmeeting with preaching by Bledsoe, there will be an all-night prayer meeting. Then at 6 p.m. again on Tuesday evening, there will be another campmeeting, followed by a jam session. At the same time on Wednesday evening, there will be a campmeeting, followed by a bonfire with food served. On Thursday, there will be a potluck dinner starting at 5 p.m., with a campmeeting at 7 p.m.

It was reported over 50 groups and soloists are expected to perform during the 30th Annual Singing in the Pines, and include the following:

Sincere, Christ Unlimited, New Salvations, New Song, The Sheltons, Marti Short, Singing Shafers, Heavenly Angels, Charlie and Ellen Rife, Sam Rife, Truly Blessed, Gloryland Believers, Bledsoe Family, Anointed Heart, Porter’s Song, Moore Family, Scyock Family, Ricky and Marie Alley, Lester Miller, H.I.S. II Gospel Singers, Eddie Williams Family, The Master Sounds, Called, Delivered, George Cook, The Fredericks, The Singing Byrds, Heart and Soul, Joe McCloud, The Humbleaires, Heaven’s Call, Mike Pender, Betty Callihan, Jerrid Ellie, New Revelators, The Lightner Family, The Gibbons Family, The Samaritans, and The Zinns.

Also at the event, there will also be a handmade quilt giveaway at 11 p.m. on Saturday. The quilt was made by Mazie Camp, who has donated several quilts to this event for many years. There will also be closing performance from the group, the Pine Knots, which will be around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

There is a roofed tabernacle on the union campground that seats 500, and there are also free spaces available for campers, RVs and tents. There will also be a concession stand on both Friday and Saturday evening. Singing in the Pines is a non-profit organization, operated by volunteers. The only income is from free-will offerings, donations and the concession stand.

For more information on this event, call 304-895-3845.