People laughed, danced and guzzled beer as 23 String Band took the stage at Park Fest in Garvin Park Saturday.

As the bluegrass band began to strum their strings they, gave off high energy, the crowd grew and fans cheered.

Parks Fest was a free music festival that featured local artists, food vendors and a beer garden. At the event, 10 bands from different genres performed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Chris Shouse plays guitar and does vocals for 23 String Band.

He started the musical fusion six years ago with banjo player Curtis Wilson. As the two continued to make music, they started experimenting with different sounds such as from the mandolin, upright bass and violin, which they like to refer to as ‘the fiddle’.

“We get inspiration from everywhere. From other bluegrass artists to The Rolling Stones,” Shouse said.

The band does not actually have 23 strings anymore, Shouse said, but he was a huge Michael Jordan fan (alluding to the former basketball player’s jersey number). The band’s name had been set in stone, even though more strings were added two years after the name became official.

The five person, now 28-string band, based out of Louisville, Kentucky, has toured across the U.S. from Montana to Maine and plan on sharing their music even further, Shouse said.

As the show progressed, Fiddler Scott Moore arose to his tippy toes, becoming part of the music as Wilson bobbed his head to his banjo. People of all ages danced to the fast-paced music and many sang along to the bands southern-spun tunes.

Each song had its own unique sound with each band member getting a chance to go solo.

With more than 30 years playing bass under his belt, Martin Sham joined the band in 2010.

He said he enjoys being a part of 23 String Band and loves getting the chance to try new techniques with his bass. During the show, he broke a few bow hairs. He and the band often visit Evansville to play for the locals.

“We like any town that has a good crowd,” he said, “And the crowds here (in Evansville) are amazing.”

The band often plays at Lamasco’s Bar and Grill on Franklin Street in Evansville.

“We have a really good relationship with Lamasco’s Bar. They’re all amazing people,” he said.

Band fan Katie Richardson, a junior social work major at USI, has seen 23-String Band perform five times.

“I saw them the first time at ROMP festival and when I saw  (Amy Rivers-Word, owner of Lamasco’s) brought them into town,” she said. “I had to go see them and it was a lot more intimate in her setting. So it was really cool. Every time she brings them back I go see them.”

Richardson enjoys 23 String Band’s upbeat songs because she likes to dance, she said.

Even after the show at Parks Fest, the band continued to play at their merchandise tent where fans lined up to buy their albums and take pictures with the members.

“If you like bluegrass, if you like old-time, if you like rock ‘n’ roll, you should check us out,” Shouse said. “Hopefully we’ve got something that everyone likes.”