The lineup of musicians is set for the 16th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival on April 21-22 in Dahlonega.

This year, admission to the MainStage concert tent in Hancock Park will be free.

Previously, only limited MainStage events were free to the public.

"We're pleased to make the MainStage performances available to all at no charge this year and hope we'll fill every seat for the great acts we'll have on stage," said Glenda Pender, president of Bear on the Square. "We also want to encourage folks to visit our traditional Mountain Crafts Market on the square, our Country Store and our Bear on the Square Merchandise locations as well as Dahlonega's shops and eateries."

The lineup offers a number of acts performing bluegrass and old-time music from the Southern Appalachian region, as well as other musical genres.

Performers will include:

Several Dahlonega bands, including Buzzard Mountain Boys with Barefoot Creek; Gold Rush with Neel Pender; John Grimm & Beverly Smith; Curtis Jones with Insonnia; and Pick & Bow students. Another Dahlonega band, Ugly Cousin, will play at the Live Country Auction, a pre-festival event on Friday night.

Atlanta-based bands The Georgia Crackers and The Rosin Sisters.

Athens-based acts Curley Maple and Packway Handle Band.

Other acts scheduled include Whitepath from Canton and John Lilly from Charleston, W.Va.

Pre-festival events will take place April 20, with jamming on the Square, Master Classes in the afternoon and the auction that evening.

Saturday and Sunday's schedule includes the musical performers plus jamming on the Square, workshops, a Gospel Jam, an old-time Mountain Dance and kids' activities.

For more details about the festival, including the complete list of performers, activities, sponsors and updates, visit www.bearonthesquare.org.