The 2011 celebration kicks off with a reading (by Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Julie Henahan) of Governor John Kasich's proclamation marking October as Arts and Humanities Month throughout Ohio. Following the reading is a performance by the Columbus bluegrass band, Grassahol. Grassahol is a high-energy, five-piece bluegrass band with Carl Yaffey on banjo, Chas Williams, fiddle; Heidi White, bass; Buren Carter, guitar; and Scott Brooks on mandolin.

Their music is a mix of the old, the new, the occasionally obscure and a trunk-full of original songs to keep folks entertained and tapping their toes. Their songs range from the bluegrass standards to contemporary Americana. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called their music, "original, contemporary bluegrass at its finest." The high-energy of their bluegrass music and their tight vocal harmonies make Grassahol fun to listen to, even for audiences unfamiliar with bluegrass.