Best bluegrass festival--for me

**Cary Fagan** · Nov-14-2007, 10:07am

Hey all,
I've never been to a really good festival, only to a small local one near Toronto where I live (which I enjoy). I'm thinking of going to a weekend festival in May or June of this year. Here's what I'm looking for:
A beautiful green or rural setting
Great bluegrass with perhaps some old time as well
Not so large as to be overwhelming
Friendly jams that a stranger can join in on

Also possibly (but less important):
workshops
a taste of the south for a northern admirer
interesting vendors
Not too far from a major airport (don't know if I'll fly or drive).

I'd be glad to hear from any of you.

**bradeinhorn** · Nov-14-2007, 10:10am

you might consider windgap in PA. shouldn't be too far. it's small, in june and has a decent amount of jamming. it is pretty rural...

**Tim** · Nov-14-2007, 10:23am

http://www.gettysburgbluegrass.com/index2.cfm

The Gettysburg festival is in mid-may. It is not too far from the Baltimore airport (an hour or so). The obvious area attraction is the historical site. There are lots of workshops. Some vendors. Not sure about jams.

Above all, I'd narrow it to a few of the suggestions you'll get in this thread and make a final selection based on the band line-up.

**mdlorenz** · Nov-14-2007, 10:27am

Greyfox baby!

Also formerly known as Berkshire bluegrass festival, & winterhawk.

**ab4usa** · Nov-14-2007, 10:29am

Gettysburg is a fun festival. Although I have only done it as a day trip, I am told there is some jamming in the camping area. It certainly has everything else you are looking for and my guess is the band line-up will be good as well.

**ootee1** · Nov-14-2007, 11:26am

Hey Cary - glad to hear you're thinking of making it to a festival in the states this year - that looney should go far! Anyway, we usually go to Strawberry Park last weekend of May, then Greyfox in July and Podunk in August. Strawberry Park is a real easy festival to enjoy. It takes place at a family campground that has lots of amenities on site. It's very accessible and theres food concessions and a couple nice swimming pools and hot tub. The theatre area is wooded and nicely picturesque. The staff are very concientous and friendly. The bands are top notch and there's usually a lot of jamming going on at night. If you want to go all out you can even rent a trailer already on site complete with all the comforts of home. The only caveat is that since it's late May, the weather can be iffy. Last three years it was cold and rainy for at least one of the four days (another reason to opt for the trailer). But on the plus side, if it is hard rain, they have an activity center that's big enought that they move the whole thing inside. We've been going for 12 years now and it's definitely one of our favorites.

Larry

**keith_rowan** · Nov-14-2007, 1:37pm

there should be a pretty interesting bluegrass/newgrass fest at nelson ledges park in east central ohio next summer, great smaller venue, wooded, quarry lake, fishing lakes..

**F5G WIZ** · Nov-14-2007, 2:01pm

The Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington Kentucky is at the Kentucky Horse Park. It is kinda big, but is a great festival with top notch performers and a beutiful, friendly atmosphere. Usually in early June.

Darrin

**pasturepicker** · Nov-14-2007, 8:39pm

Pickin' In The Pasture is held the 4th weekend in August in Lodi,NY in the beautiful Finger Lakes region. The festival is held on a working sheep farm located between the wine country and the Amish community. The 4 day event features fairly traditional bluegrass music. There are instructional workshops conducted by great players. The festival has a reputation for some of the best jamming for all levels of pickers in the northeast U.S. The band lineup for 2008 includes Frank Wakefield, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Dan Paisley, Dailey & Vincent, The Abrams Brothers, Avery County, James King, The Bluegrass Brothers, Goldwing Express, and more. Admission is $70 at the gate for the entire event and less for early bird and advance. Kids under 16 are free. Camping is included with the 4 day pass. Pickin In The Pasture is a little under a 4 hour drive from Toronto.

**P Josey** · Nov-15-2007, 4:19am

Fox Mountain Bluegrass Festival in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

**Big Joe** · Nov-15-2007, 7:20am

The MBOTMA festival in Minnesota is a Great festival with top acts and lots of top regional acts as well. They usually have great workshops and lots of jamming. I think it is one of the best I've been to. It is held in August in Minnesota. Not a bad place to be in August!

**f5loar** · Nov-15-2007, 8:35am

Then there is the mother of all get-togethers in the new and old acoustic scene, MerleFest in Wilksboro, NC but that is the last weekend in April. It's got it all and runs 4 days.

**luvmymando** · Nov-15-2007, 8:46am

Rockygrass!!!!!!!!!! Lyons Colorado

**Steve Perry** · Nov-15-2007, 9:36am

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Beanblossom.

Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival

It's got everything you asked for with the exception of being in the South... but it's only an hour north of Louisville, Ky, so it's close enough.

You'd better go this year. #The park is up for sale and who knows how much longer it will be around.

**F5GRun** · Nov-15-2007, 9:54am

Wind Gap is fun, Grey Fox is awesome with big names, Gettysburgs is great, But my favorite of all time is Appalachian Uprising in Scottown OH. Nice and small...great place to camp....they added showers last year...great jammin and usually a work shop or two and Sam always plays. Total access to the bands and tons of great moonshine. check it out http://www.appalachianuprising.net/

**Joe F** · Nov-15-2007, 9:56am

Cary,
Big Joe mentioned the MBOTMA festival in Minnesota, which is held in August. #MBOTMA also holds an earlier festival, the Home-Grown Kickoff, at the same location. #This one is the first weekend in June, around the time you're looking at. #The Home-Grown Kickoff is a bit more laid-back than the August festival, with fewer national acts and more regional bands, but still a fun festival in a great location. #Richmond, MN is about 80 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

**santonelli322** · Nov-15-2007, 10:23am

Blistered Fingers in Maine is always a pleasure. Very friendly environment. Open stage opportunities and great acts.

**jim simpson** · Nov-15-2007, 10:34pm

I have to add my vote for Windgap. I used to live about 90 minutes away. I sure miss it for great camping and jamming. I liked Gettysburg for the bands but always found the jamming lacking there.