SIDNEY $ High gas prices haven't kept loyal bluegrass fans away from the Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

They've come by the thousands, from all over the United States and as far away as England. They're staying in area hotels, living in recreational vehicles or tenting out on 60 acres off West River Road.

"Today will be the biggest day," organizer Greg Cormier said Saturday at the Silver Spur Riding Club where the festival is held. "We probably had 3,000 in the audience last night. We'll probably have 5,000 or 6,000 just today."

The 31st Blistered Fingers was hopping Saturday, as the band, "Acoustic Blue," based in Pittsfield, Mass., performed on-stage to a rousing audience.

A sea of more than 1,000 recreational vehicles were parked on mowed and landscaped fields. George and Melvina Prosper of Newton, N.H., said the cost of fuel could never keep them away from the popular festival.

"I'd say this is about our seventh year in a row," George Prosper said, sitting outside his camper with the couple's Dachshund, Colonel Klink. "I love the music and the great bands. I love 'Acoustic Blue.' We'd seen them before, up at Basin Bluegrass in Brandon, Vermont."

Operating on 10 miles to the gallon, the Prospers' camper would cost the couple about $150 in fuel, round-trip, to come to the festival.

"It's always nice up here," Melvina Prosper said. "It was worth it. This is one of our favorite festivals. People are so nice. Even the dog enjoys it."

Bluegrass lovers sat in lawn chairs in the hot sun or beneath a large tent, tapping bare toes on the grass as the four-member Acoustic Blue belted out tunes to enthusiastic applause:

"I got a pig, home in a pen, corn to feed him on. All I need's a pretty little girl to feed him when I'm gone..."

With Bear Acker on bass, Shaun Batho on guitar, Corey Zink on mandolin and Mike VanAlstyne on banjo, the group was to perform Saturday night as well $ and will perform at 10:40 a.m. today.