A long local tradition of raising money for cystic fibrosis is continuing this year in a big way.

The VonHagel family of Gardendale began fund-raising efforts for cystic fibrosis (CF) after the disease hit home in a very personal way. Katie VonHagel was diagnosed with CF at age 2, about 11 years ago.

The family approached the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church’s Knights of Columbus president, Thom Duran, for a donation for CF research. That request blossomed into a decade of golf tournaments under the name “Swinging for Katie’s Kids,” as well as other fund-raisers.

Duran said the golf tournament raised more than $20,000 a year for the past few years, but he had a problem.

“It began to grow stagnant. I couldn’t take it to the next level,” Duran said.

After attending a festival in November, Duran got the idea for a different type of fund-raiser.

He is currently organizing Strummin’ For Katie’s Kids, which is a live bluegrass and country music festival July 12, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Gardendale Civic Center.

Country music bands include Johnathan East, the James Miller Band, the Southern Boys Band and Cottonbox Road.

For bluegrass, the bands on stage will be Delta Reign, Foggy Hollow and Cottonmouth Creek.

In addition to live music all day, the event includes a fun zone for children, arts and crafts vendors, food for sale and a barbecue cook-off.

The barbecue cook-off is sanctioned by the Alabama Barbecue Association, which means serious barbecue-ers from across the state can enter the cook-off and earn points from attending.

Most of the proceeds from Strummin’ for Katie’s Kids benefit Laps for CF, with donations also going to the Alabama Bluegrass Association and Guitars and More, which donates instruments to schools.

For more information about the event, visit www.strumminforkatieskids.org.