Bluegrass Music Festivals

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Lets Talk Bluegrass Music Festivals

Alright folks, lets talk about Bluegrass Music Festivals! I created this lens for bluegrass fans and myself to share experiences and tips about bluegrass festivals around the world.

When I arrive at a Bluegrass Festival and see a sign like the picture to the left, my stomach is in knots! The excitement inside me usually has been building for weeks leading up to the Bluegrass Festival that I'll be attending.

The thoughts of seeing my favourite bands, hearing those awesome songs and sounds of stringed instruments, spending time with family and seeing good friends while camping.......Does it get any better???

So What is Bluegrass Music?

Bluegrass is a form of uniquely American music which has been attributed to the Scots-Irish immigrants of Appalachia, as well as that of rural African-American, jazz, and blues. In bluegrass, each instrument takes a turn playing the melody and improvising around it.

Bluegrass Festivals I've Been To 

I will share my experiences about bluegrass festivals in this lens I and hope to get some feedback from other fans about bluegrass festivals.

I've been to festivals in Ontario, Canada as well as festivals in the United States. So far I've been to Gettysburg PA, Governuer NY, & Lodi NY.

Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival is a top notch festival. It is a well run family event. The band lineup is always fantastic and you would'nt be a bluegrass music fan if you didn't enjoy yourself at Gettysburg.

A memorable moment of mine at Gettysburg was one hot afternoon, some friends were all excited and heading towards the stage area. Wondering what was going on, I followed. Well, behind Rhonda Vincent's Martha White Tour Bus there was a little jam going on. There was a few fans with their instruments and Rhonda sitting in the middle of them with her mandolin. This was great to be a part of because there wasn't many of us, and Rhonda herself was having fun and she didn't have to hide in her bus while waiting to go on stage. But best of all was listening to Rhonda and friends play sweet Bluegrass Music!

In Canada, I've been to Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival, Tottenham Bluegrass Festival, Willow Park Bluegrass Festival, River Valley Bluegrass Festival several times and once to a festival in Nova Scotia. These are annual events for my family and friends and they are all great festivals. I plan on checking out many others as well.

Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival 

Watch this video!..... It goes with the story above, the story about that jam that took place with Rhonda Vincent on that hot afternoon. This video is courtesy of my buddy on the banjo, Don Adams. Isn't he a great picker?
powered by Youtube

CONESTOGA TRAIL BLUEGRASS & GOSPEL FESTIVAL 

Looking for a Great Bluegrass Festival in Southern Ontario???

*** Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival ***

On August 15, 2008 the 1st Annual Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival took place in Princeton Ontario.

The hosts Gerry & Fran Morgan put on a fabulous event that in my mind was the best festival I've been to. 5 Stars to Gerry & Fran. This festival was well planned with every detail imagined covered from front to back. The festival is at a beautiful location and if your looking for a great family festival in 2009, be sure to check out this festival. You won't be disappointed.

Here are some photos from the 2008 Festival!

Audie Blaylock & Redline


Under The Big Top


Winners of Guitar & Cash (My Inlaws...Lucky Folks!)

The dates for the Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival in 2009 are August 14-15-16

Try To Make It !

Click Here To See Festival Website

Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival 

This video gives you an idea what you might experience at a festival.

Sally Mountain Park Bluegrass Festival July 2007

curated content from YouTube

Audie Blaylock & Redline

Bluegrass Festivals in Canada 

Just a Few of Many

Tottenham Bluegrass Festival
On the shoreline of Tottenham Pond, in the picturesque village of Tottenham Ontario.
Palmer Rapids Twin Music Festival
Located in Ontario
Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards Show
Located near Huntsville, Ontario
Orono Bluegrass and Old Tyme Country Jamboree
Located in the village of Orono, Ontario
Sand Road August Bluegrass Festival
Located near Moose Creek, Ontario
Sooke River Bluegrass Music Festival
Located in British Columbia, Canada
Millpond Bluegrass Festival
Millpond Campground, Nova Scotia - Along the Glooscap Trail - fishing, bird watching, hiking, festivals, motorhome, RV sites, highest tides, River Rafting, museum
Blueberry Bluegrass and Country Music Festival
Located in Stony Plain, Alberta
* Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival *
Located in Princeton Ontario. The festival takes place on August 14-15-16, 2009.
The Sally Creek Music Festival
Located near Kitchener Ontario. First Annual Festival ...July 3-4-5 /2009

Bluegrass Festivals in the United States 

Just a Few of the Many

"Pickin in the Pasture"
Located near Lodi NY
Mountain Top Bluegrass Festival
Located near Tarentum PA
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
Located in Oak Hill NY
The West Virginia State BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
Located near Martinsburg, WV
Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Located in Queen City, Missouri
Walnut Valley Festival
Located in Winfield, Kansas
Milan Bluegrass Festival
Located in Milan MI
Osborne Brothers Bluegrass Festival
Hyden, Kentucky
Blistered Finger's Family Bluegrass Festival
Blistered Fingers has some of the greatest bluegrass music in the world at one of the largest family events in central Maine! Happens every June and August since 1981.Campers,Tents and 4 days of entertainment.
Bluegrass Festival: Welcome to the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival
Located near historical Gettysburg, PA
Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom - Festivals & Events From Bean Blossom, IN
Located in Indiana
Bluegrass Festivals by Adams and Anderson , LLC
Located in North Carolina
Mandolin Farm Bluegrass
Located in Flemingsburg, KY
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival
Located near Kodak. Tennessee
Bluegrass in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival
Located near Sevierville, Tennessee

Just One Way To Get To & From The Stage

Camping At Festivals 

Bluegrass festivals are alot of fun with all the great music, meeting bands, food, people and just the whole atmosphere of the festival. I'm so greatful I found this music and way of life. But the one thing I really enjoy is being able to camp at the festivals.

People drive from everywhere and camp at festivals in Motorcoaches , motorhomes, trailers, buses, tents etc.. This is where they live while they are at the festival. It's quite a community. You get to meet great people from everywhere and some times you make lifelong friends.

One thing bluegrassers really enjoy is the jamming that takes place around the campsites. Especially after the bands are done for the evening. You can walk around and visit many campsites and listen or join in and play with other people. Some of the caliber of these people playing is unbelievable.

Sometimes you will see band members wondering around and playing music with the campers.
Last summer at the Willow Park Bluegrass Festival south of Hamilton, Ontario Dan Paisley and Southern Grass dropped by our campsite while we were jamming. That was a little intimidating.

The only problem I find is I don't get enough sleep because its too much fun and I don't want to go to bed.

Out of all the bluegrass festivals I have been to I can't recall one time when I have seen a problem with someones behavior. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I just haven't seen it.

It's a good family enviroment to be had by all.

Bluegrass Festivals 


Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Aug. 2006

The Alecia Nugent Band - Too Good To Be True

Doyle LAwson & Quicksilver - Girl From West Virginia

2007 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

I'll Break Out Again Tonight - Dan Paisley

Banjo Chimes - Bobby Lundy
curated content from YouTube

' The Del McCoury Band/Live '

Tony Rice - Merle Watson Festival 

This video presents Tony Rice in three different settings recorded at the 1992 Merle Watson Festival.

Tony Rice, The Video Collection

Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

This video is worth spotlighting because I think it would be a wonderful addition to any bluegrass fans collection. I have this video and have watched it many, many times and I can't get enough of it. It also features several bluegrass greats.

Featured Lenses 

View for Yourself

Some Cool Bluegrass Festival Stuff on Amazon! 

Telluride Bluegrass Festival: Thirty Years

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Bluegrass Country Soul

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Tony Rice, The Video Collection

Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

Bluegrass Magazines 

These mags list festivals around the world.

Bluegrass Unlimited

Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

"Please comment on bluegrass festivals you have been to and your experiences from those festivals."

Bluegrass Festival Blabber! 

Give Your Comments On Bluegrass Festivals......We Are All Ears!

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  • Reply
    _Joan_ _Joan_ Oct 2, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
    Hi! I just lensrolled this page to my Cherryholmes lens.
  • Reply
    cheryl20772 cheryl20772 Sep 2, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
    such sweetness just has to be shared. Thanks for this wonderful lens.
  • Reply
    ViolinStudent ViolinStudent Aug 29, 2009 @ 8:28 am
    Good information here. The Grove Oklahoma festivals would be a good addition. And there have been festivals in the past in North Texas (Argyle and Frisco) which would also be good additions to the list. Thanks very much for your work.
    Art Haule
    http://www.squidoo.com/fiddlesticks
  • Reply
    nicoleacosta nicoleacosta Aug 25, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
    Thanks for keeping us up with all the new!! You sure can tell this means something to you :) Very well put together lens my friend. You should record your sons playing and share them with us also! Something to remind them of their "younger years" when they get older, things us Parents love to have on the back burner (hee hee).

    ~ Nicole Acosta
    Co-Owner Wise Owl Surf and Lightning Clix
  • Reply
    Julsy Julsy Aug 21, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
    Great Lens! I had no idea so many people in Canada and Northern US liked Bluegrass music! I thought it was a southern kinda thing. I grew up being forced to endure hours on end of Bluegrass, and was even dragged around to a few festival's back in the 70's when I was a little girl. But only in and around NC. My dad was a very talented man and completely taught himself to play guitar and banjo at a very young age and eventually taught himself to play just about every stringed instrument there was. He had so many NC state ribbons from festival's, I can't even count them all. He ended up using his talent's to teach other's to play whatever instrument they wanted to learn and was very well known within the Bluegrass community in and around Winston-Salem, NC. It took my daddy's death to make me fully appreciate Bluegrass music, and now I thank God for it, because with him gone, all I have to do is listen to anything Bluegrass, and I can feel my dad with me!
  • Reply
    eko eko Aug 21, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
    thanks for sharing bro, is a nice info
  • Reply
    Deeringboy Deeringboy Aug 21, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
    Thanks Rose, But there is Bluegrass in Minnisota. I'll find out and post it here on this lens.
  • Reply
    rosemarie mullenix rosemarie mullenix Aug 21, 2009 @ 9:42 am
    wow, this is really neat. i wasnt sure what exactly bluegrass was so your definition is great. None in Minnesota tho....this is well put together with a lot of .information.
    I enjoyed the pictures too
  • Reply
    virginiqa virginiqa Aug 20, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
    I love the Isaacs they really are great gospel bluegrass musicians

    they style is awesome
  • Reply
    Catherine53 Catherine53 Aug 20, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
    O.M.G.! What I wouldn't give to be at one of them!!
    My Mom loved Banjo music too!
    Why don't you bring one to Ireland???
    I love Camping too !
    I AM JEALOUS NOW :P
    Greetings from Ireland !!
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by Deeringboy

Hello, I'm a bluegrass music enthusiast from Ontario. I attend several bluegrass festivals each year and I hope you enjoy this lens. I'll try to keep... (more)

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