CHUNKY – Crowds gathered under the trees near the Chunky River Saturday for the annual Chunky River Recreational Bluegrass Singing on the River.

The smell of the flowing river lingered in the air as the train wailed every once in a while. Groups of people, young and old from all over the southern region, crowded in, carrying folded chairs and musical instruments, while American and Mississippi flags flew high in the air.

Dwayne Reynolds, one of the organizers, began with an overview of the bands and a prayer to start off the day, then the singers started, backed by a range of instruments including the banjo, violin, guitars, standup bass and mandolin.

The first band was The Sowell Family Pickers from Himstead, Texas, playing a range of favorite hymns and original songs to even “The Orange Blossom Special” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” from Charlie Daniels.

Everyone tapped their toes, danced, and sang along while the young band entertained the crowd with their two-person, cross-armed instrument playing. One gentleman even stood up and told the band to put their young son “back on the fiddle.”

Avonell Coleman of Brandon makes the trip to Chunky twice a year.

“I come because I love the Lord and the fellowship,” he said. “This is a great, open place to have it, and you get to meet great people.”

The next bands were The Pilgrim Family with Uncle Pug and the Jason Archie Family, groups of older men who entertained the crowd with classic hymns like “Amazing Grace” and their raspy southern voices and banjos.

Tommy Wyatt of Conehatta, a relative of Uncle Pug, said, “It’s like a giant family gathering.”

“It’s also nice to see kids in the bands and into the music,” added his wife Lynn.

Performing last was the Leipers Fork Bluegrass band from Nashville, who dazzled the crowd with their original songs.

Saturday marked the seventh time for the bi-annual event, which started in 2013.