Festivals etc 2009

[Tommy Wintle]

This is my first post, so hello all. I hope some of you might have some useful advice for me....

I'm planning on doing a little tour of the States in the autumn of next year. Some time around August and September, I guess. Are there any decent festivals, events etc that would be worth a look that time of the year? I'm not set on exactly where I'm going yet so anywhere is worth a thought!

Thanks very much,

Tommy

[loardreamer]

cherokee N.C --------- adams and anderson sponsors it all the big names will be there

[MikeEdgerton]

The Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival is held Labor Day Weekend at the Salem County Fair Grounds, Woodstown, New Jersey. Always a good time.

[adgefan]

If you like your bluegrass to be a bit left field check out Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival in Wyoming which takes place in August. I went last year and had the time of my life - the bands were great and the setting (8,000ft up a mountain) was spectacular.

[Andy Alexander]

For a more traditional bluegrass festival with lots of great jam sessions check out Pickin' In The Pasture. The event is held in Lodi, New York on a farm in the beautiful Finger Lakes region. The dates are August 20, 21, 22, and 23rd 2009.

[yoshka]

This site may help you:
http://www.festivalpreview.com/beta/
Taken off of Ted Lehmann's blog at:
http://tedlehmann.blogspot.com/

[grassrootphilosopher]

I heard that there is a festival-list on Bluegrass Unlimited (http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?issue=190654). For this side of the ocean there is the festival listing at www.ebma.nl.

To get in the mood for your US-trip, come to the EWOB Festival (European World Of Bluegrass) at Voorthuizen, NL in May (www.ewob.eu).

[Donnie Lang]

If your in Maryland 3rd week of Sept. Arcadia BG festival approx. 30 miles north of Baltimore

[Jonathan James]

In Michigan the first weekend after Labor Day is the Wheatland Music Festival near Mt. Pleasant. One of the oldest in the US. Great combo of traditional bluegrass, acoustic, Americana, Cajun. Wonderful food and great camping in the pines.

www.wheatlandmusic.org

[ddshelden]

Magnoliafest in Live Oak FL Oct 22-25 2009

http://www.magmusic.com/

[des mando]

winfield or the national flatpicking championships, always the 3rd weekend in sept. 10 to 15 thousand people show up the friday before. over 85 percent of attendees are pickers 45 minutes se of wichita kansas also known as walnut valley festival

[Mattg]

First weekend in Sept. The Four Corners bluegrass festival in Pagosa Springs Colorado. You can find lodging in Pagosa or camp at the fest. It is in south west Colorado in some great scenery. There is some great campground jams and a world class line up. I really love this fest.

[Mike Snyder]

A strong second for Winfield. Many flavors of jam to taste, great camping, multiple stages, awesome contest talent. Some areas get a little too drunken rowdy late at night, some don't.

[Joe F]

The big Minnesota bluegrass and old-time festival will be held August 6-9 next year. It's held at a large campground about 80 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.
http://minnesotabluegrass.org/index.php?contentID=559

[Roland Sturm]

In the Los Angeles area, the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Festival has free concerts in National Park sites in 2nd Sundays throughout the summer. 2 bands, very relaxed atmosphere, often jams before and if it gets too hot, drive down from the mountains and within 20 mins you're at the Pacific Ocean (in Malibu). Some killer mandoplayers likely to be playing at some of the summer concerts, Paul Statman, Scott Gates (program won't be up until late winter). Their big event would be the May festival, but that's too early for you. www.topangabanjofiddle.org

[Jim Kirkland]

Rockhound State Park, Deming, NM. Memorial Day weekend 09. 3rd yr, small, nice setting, and lots of jam time after the sets.

[Mark Paterson]

My faves if your in NY/PA..

Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance - Ithaca NY
Pickin' in the Pasture - Lodi NY
The Hickory Fest Bluegrass Music and Music in the Mountains - Wellsboro PA
Greyfox Bluegrass Festival - Ancramdale NY

[Weagle]

Old time Fiddler Convention in Athens, Tennessee at the college last weekend in October. Contest featuring strong local and visiting talent. Something differant. Been going on for years. Always a good time. Lot of jammin.

Weagle

[wglide]

Check out the SEBA website if you are going to be in the southeast.Hopefully you can find something that you'll like.

[Jerry Haynes]

May be a little early for you but, The "Goin back to Harlan" bluegrass festival is the last weekend of June. www.goinbacktoharlan.com

[Andy Alexander]

My faves if your in NY/PA..

Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance - Ithaca NY
Pickin' in the Pasture - Lodi NY
The Hickory Fest Bluegrass Music and Music in the Mountains - Wellsboro PA
Greyfox Bluegrass Festival - Ancramdale NY

Hey Mark!

I'm glad that you enjoy Pickin' In The Pasture. I don't think that I know you so be sure and say howdy if you attend the festival next August. We are putting together a great lineup which will be announced soon.

Andy from Pickin' In The Pasture

[Mark Paterson]

Hi Andy!
I love your place!..good tunes and good times! I'll make a point of sayin' howdy this year. Keep up the good work!

Mark

[viv]

three sisters music festival in chattanooga, tn, first weekend in october--had the privilege of seeing adam steffey (yes, i genuflected) with dan tyminski's band this year...don't get me started on the last two year's lineup--suffice it to say it was superlative.

watermelon festival in berryville, va september 26, 27, 28--tim o'brien's already on the books, not sure who else, but it's a great venue and if i remember correctly, late september in northern virginia is a fabulous place to be.

[PaulO]

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten path festival, the Armuchee Labor Day Bluegrass festival is as pure and simple as it gets. Its just outside of Rome, Ga about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. Lots of jamming and as they say down here... fellowship.

[jim_n_virginia]

Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia in August

you'll love it! Lot's of contests, bands and plenty of picking!

http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/