54 HOURS : It’s Pumpkin Time

Rap, hip-hop and other new music styles may be the sound of choice for most young musicians, but there’s one group that has found its niche in bluegrass.

“It’s kind of a quirky thing,” says Chris Hodge, the bass player of Home Grown. Another twist is that there are seven musicians in the group and they’re all brothers and sisters, ranging from 23-year-old Chris to Kinsey, 8, a fiddle player. The band, from La Can~ada, also includes Elisa, Katrina, Brittanie, Jacob and Ashlie. They’re making a name for themselves with bluegrass competitions, including a recent victory at the L.A. County Fair. The Hodges’ parents are the backbone of the band, says Chris, providing guidance--and transportation--to events almost every weekend.

The group will appear Saturday at noon at the annual Calabasas Pumpkin Festival, as part of two days of continuous entertainment on four stages.

The fall festival also has arts and crafts, a pumpkin hay maze, food and games (including pumpkin seed spitting and pie eating), Chumash storytelling and about 30 tons of pumpkins.

Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Paramount Ranch (site of the “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” set) in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Take Ventura Freeway to Kanan Road exit, go south on Kanan, follow the signs to parking area. $7.50; ages 13-17 and seniors, $6; ages 4-12, $3. (818) 225-2227.