Kentucky bluegrass has its roots in ballads and instruments brought by migrants from Europe and features a mixture of traditional African American blues. The melded music, which came into being sometime in the 1930s, was played not only to entertain, but to emotionally sustain the hardscrabble life that many Kentuckians led and still live. Today's festivals seek to keep alive the integrity and spirit of bluegrass music and its culture.
Festival of the Bluegrass was first held in 1974. It is hosted at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, the second weekend of June and includes two stages. In 2010, nine bands are scheduled to perform, from Dry Branch Fire Squad to Mountain Heart. Tickets are sold as daily admission or four-day passes. Some packages include camping, with some sites that include water and electric, but most of them primitive.
Festival of the Bluegrass
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Ironworks Parkway
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
859-846-4995
festivalofthebluegrass.com
Held the first weekend of June in southern Kentucky, this festival features pure music amidst a setting with plenty of other outdoor activities. The 2010 schedule has musicians slated to perform such as the Lonesome River Band and the Dixie Ryders. Camping, with primitive and electric sites, is free when tickets are purchased. Music workshops and hands-on children's activities are offered.
Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival
6074 East Highway 92
Williamsburg, Kentucky
606-549-9514
sallygapbgfestival.com
This festival is held on the grounds of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College's Harlan Campus. The Appalachian Mountains in the eastern part of the state provide the perfect bluegrass backdrop. The outdoor stage annually features bands and offers open stage time for amateur musicians wanting to showcase their talents or merge with others. Nearby camping and lodging is available at several locations.
Goin' Back to Harlan Bluegrass Festival
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
Harlan Campus
164 Ballpark Road
Harlan, Kentucky 40831
606-573-4106
harlanbgfestival.com
The Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival kicks off September 1 with a barbecue at the campgrounds, and events last for 20 days. The stage for 2010 is slated to feature acts such as Hill Billy Gypsies and Marty Stevens. A "showcase stage" is also available for visitors, youth included, to play in front of potential promoters who sometimes visit the festival. Food and other vendors are also at the event.
Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival
3715 U.S. 60 East
Morehead, Kentucky 40351
606-784-2277
poppymountainbluegrass.com
