Organizers of the annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega are dangling the proverbial carrot in the faces of old-time gospel and bluegrass music fans.

Although the festival isn't until April, Glenda Pender, president of Bear on the Square and festival chairwoman, recently announced the Mainstage Tent performers.

Carl Jones, a Macon native, and Alabama resident James Bryan will be performing together on the main stage. Bryan is a renowned fiddler, who is also a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, while Jones is a songwriter and mandolin, banjo and fiddle player.

The duo has toured with Norman and Nancy Blake, as well as the Rising Fawn String Ensemble.

Red June, The Packway Handle Band, The Buzzard Mountain Boys and Curley Maple are among the groups that will be gracing the main stage. The Solstice Sisters, BlueBilly Grit and the Georgia Pick and Bow Band will also be performing.

Some of the solo artists include John Lily, Sonny Houston and Curtis Jones.

The Bear on the Square festival is a nonprofit cultural arts organization that seeks to preserve and celebrate the culture of the Southern Appalachian region.

Event organizers promise to deliver a festival filled with "hand-clapping, toe-tapping music."

The festival will be held April 16-17 on the historic square in downtown Dahlonega. There will be a pre-festival celebration on April 15 in the same location that will include a live country auction, master class workshops and various jam sessions.

In addition to good music, Bear on the Square will also include dancing, family activities and the Mountain Marketplace, where vendors will be selling traditional North Georgia crafts.