The monthly Rabbit River folk music gathering will come to an end after the Feb. 4 program.

“Well, it was a good run,” said founder and organizer J.D. Gonzales. “Almost five and half years of gathering each month to experience music, friends and food. It started out as an idea to bring live acoustical folk music to the Wayland area on a regular basis and to have some fun and meet new artists and people.  And we did.”

The last of the weekly sessions will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Vibrant Grains Bakery and Restaurant, 142 S. Main St., Wayland.

“When I started this adventure, I did so in partnership with Vibrant Grains,” Gonzales explained. “It was to be a win-win situation. They provide the venue for free and make enough money to cover their costs and I provide the audience and the musicians.  Together, a wonderful event took place each month of music and fellowship.

“But as the restaurant’s business model has changed to best fill a wonderful food niche in the community, it was clear to me that I should not over burden them with our rather unique night event that does not fit their new direction.

“Vibrant Grains has been gracious and giving for many many years, so it was very hard for them to agree to my decision to discontinue the monthly music gatherings. I thank Vibrant Grains for their generous support over the past years and grateful for their willingness to serve our community.”

PHOTO: J.D. Gonzales (left on guitar) has announced the end of the monthly Rabbit River folk music gatherings at the Vibrant Grains Bakery and Restaurant. Gonzales and his Irish folk group performed last Saturday in the next to last session and will be in concert this Friday evening at the Essential Bean coffee house in Caledonia.