Short descriptions of more than 20 bluegrass festivals taking place across the U.S. between mid-August and mid-September 2007 follow, along with Web links for further information.

Long Island Bluegrass Festival

August 18, 2007

Tanner Park in Copiague, New York

www.babylonarts.com

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder headline this family-friendly festival, which runs from 12-8 p.m. and also features Buddy Merriam & Back Roads and other local bluegrass bands.  Tickets are $10 at the gate; $5 for children under 10.  Bring a lawn chair.

Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival

August 23-26, 2007

Silver Spur Riding Club in Sidney, Maine 

www.blisteredfingers.com

Now in its 29th year, the festival features music by The Adrians, Blistered Fingers, Bluegrass Diamonds, Carolina Rebels, Cross Over, Doerfel Family, Larry Gillis Band, Goldwing Express, The Muellers, Kati Penn Band, and Josh Williams & North Country.

High and Dry Bluegrass Festival

August 24-26, 2007

Runway Ranch in Bend, Oregon

www.highanddrybluegrassfestival.com

 "10 bands for 10 bucks."  That’s how this inaugural festival on the east side of Bend, a natually beatiful small city in central Oregon is being billed.  For just $10 for the entire weekend (and children under 12 will be admitted free), you can hear music from Anvil Blasters, Back from the Dead, Bitterbrush, Blackstrap, Great Northern Planes, the Hakanson Family , Hashioka Family Band, Leroy & the Sidekicks, Mean Willy and Quincy Street; as well as many local musicians on a second stage.  Also slated are are a number of instrumental and vocal harmony workshops.  Informal jamming also is encouraged.  Bring your own lawn chair.

 33rd Annual Santa Fe Traditional & Bluegrass Music Festival

August 24-26, 2007

Santa Fe County Fairgrounds in Santa Fe, New Mexico

www.SouthwestPickers.org

Presented by the Southwest Tradition & Bluegrass Music Association ( also known as The Southwest Pickers), this festival will feature plenty of jamming, instrumental and vocal workshops, contests for adults and children, a band scramble and competition, and performances by such acts as Adobe Brothers, Badly Bent, Bayou Secou, Fast Pesos, Higher Ground, David Peterson and 1946, and Uncle Henry’s Favorites Indoor performance spaces ensure that all events will take place rain or shine.  A three-day pass is $40 at the gate; daily tickets also are available.  Children under 12 will be admitted free.  Camping and parking are free.

Summergrass San Diego

August 24-26, 2007

Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California

www.summergrass.net 

Now in its fifth year, this family-friendly festival in San Diego’s North County will feature an array of international, regional and local bands, instrument workshops (including a special one for children), and plenty of impromptu jamming.  Bands slated to perform include Chris Stuart & Backcountry,  The Bladerunners, Bluegrass, Etc., The Brombies, Lighthouse, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, Soledad Mountain, Uglum & Sons, U.S. Navy Bluegrass Band and Virtual Strangers.  Three-day and daily tickets are available.  Children ages 10 and under will be admited free.  Camping is available for an additional fee.

4th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival

August 24-27, 2007

Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho

www.bannockcountybluegrassfestival.com

This festival features concerts by nine bluegrass bands from Idaho and surrounding states (Buckhorn Mountain Boys, Cold Creek, Hammer Down, The Jessie Jones Band, New South Fork, Public Radio, Red Desert Ramblers, The Stormy Mountain Boys, Tradition and The Wild Coyotes), along with a late Saturday evening barn dance, music workshops and jam sessions.  wWeekend passes are $35, while daily tickets also are available.  Camping on the fairgrounds is $5/night.

Bower’s Mansion Bluegrass Festival

August 25, 2007

Bower’s Mansion on SR-429, north of Carson City, Nevada

www.bowersbluegrassfestival.org

Running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., this one-day festival features bluegrass, gospel and old-time music.  Artists include Biggest Little Bluegrass Band, Cabin Fever, Keith Little, Mountain Laurel, Jody Stecher & Paul Knight, Stairwell Sisters and Thrown Together.

32nd National Old Time Country & Bluegrass Music Festival

August 27-September 2, 2007

Harrison County Fairgrounds in Missouri Valley, Iowa


Now in its 32nd year, this week-long festival is presented by the National Traditional Country Music Association and held in conjunction with an agricultural exposition.  The festival features old-time and traditional acoustic music performed on 10 stages.  This year’s ‘special guest’ artists include Bobby Atkins of the Country Gentlemen, Johnny Bellar, Jim Ed Brown, Stonewall Jackson, Rio Grande Valley singer Red Johnson, harmonica player Charlie McCoy, Mel McDaniels (whose baby wears blue jeans), Georgia’s Morris Brothers, Jim Murphy, Jim Owen, Jimmy Payne, Shawn Pittman (Moe Bandy’s fiddler), Bobby G. Rice, Terry Smith and Red Steagall (one of America’s favorite cowboys). 

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival

August 30-September 2, 2007

Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick, Maine

www.thomaspointbeach.com

Like Blistered Fingers, this festival is now marking its 29th year.  Held on the southern coast of Maine, “where the music meets the sea,” over the Labor Day Weekend, it will feature more than 50 hours of bluegrass by such acts as Marty Raybon & Full Circle. Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Dan Paisley & Southern Grass, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Lewis Family, Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, Sierra Hull, Randy Waller & The Country Gentlemen, The Abrams Brothers, Loretta & Mo, No Speed Limit, Carolina Sonshine, Evergreen, The Doerfel Family, Pine Hill Ramblers, White Mountain Bluegrass Band, and more.  There’ll also be off-stage field pickin’ throughout the weekend, workshops under a beachfront tent and children’s activities.  Daily, two, three and four-day tickets are available, and in the rough camping is free for multi-day ticket holders. 

Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival

August 31-September 2, 2007

Salem County Fairgrounds in Woodstown, New Jersey

www.brandywinefriends.org/dvbgf/

Now in its 36th year, this Labor Day Weekend festival is presented by The Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music.  This year’s impressive lineup includes Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Grascals, Cherryholmes, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass, Seneca Rocks, Lost Highway, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, James Reams & The Barnstormers, Foghorn String Band, Tuesday Mountain Boys and April Verch. 

Four Corners Folk Festival

August 31-September 2, 2007

Reservoir Hill Park in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

www.folkwest.com/index2.htm

Although not strictly a bluegrass festival, this Labor Day Weekend event, now in its 12th year, will feature performances by the Jerry Douglas Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Nickel Creek, Sweet Sunny South and The Wilders, as well as an array of instrumental workshops.  Advance ticket prices range from $30 for Friday only to $100 for a three-day pass with on-site camping.  Ticket prices are $5-$10 more at the gate. 

MooGrass Bluegrass/Acoustic Festival

August 31-September 2, 2007

Tillamook County Fairgrounds in Tillamook, Oregon

www.moograss.com

Tillamook, on the Oregon coast, may be primarily known for its cheese, but it is also home to this family-friendly festival.  Among the artists in this year’s lineup are Central Creek Connection, Dewgrass, Zach Driscoll & Three Quarter Time, The Goldman Family, Matt Gray & Jeff Shippy, The Hakanson Family, In the Grove, Misty Mamas, Old Creek, Pacific Rim and Prairie Flyer.  Workshops, a band scramble, and plenty of informal pickin’ and jammin’ also are slated. Daily tickets are $9-$18, while children under age 12 will be admitted free.  Camping is $15/night.

Earl Park Fall Festival

August 31-September 3, 2007

Earl Park Community Park in Earl Park, Indiana

www.earlparkfestival.com

Although Earl Park is a small town with some 700 residents, more than 40,000 attend this free festival each year to enjoy bluegrass and old-time country music performances, as well as pickin’ at the campsites.  Featured artists this year include1000 Pounds of Bluegrass Band, Chicago Bluegrass Band, Cornfields & Crossroads, Mike Jones & Young at Heart, No Tools Loaned, and Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. 

Horseshoe Bend Bluegrass Festival

September 7-8, 2007

On the banks of the James River in Scottsville, Virginia

www.horseshoebendbluegrass.com

WFLO’s Henry Fulcher emcees this festival in the small town of Scottsville (settled in 1744), just south of Charlottesville.   Eddie & Martha Adcock and The Bluegrass Brothers perform both days.  Charles Frazier & the Virginia Ramblers, Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers, and The Larry Stephenson Band play sets on Friday. Saturday’s lineup includes Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, the Country Gentlement Reunion Band, Dark Hollow, Dave Evans & River Bend, and 111rd Tyme Out.  Tickets range from $20-50; children under 12 will be admitted free.

8th Annual Arbuckle Mountain Park Bluegrass Festival

September 12-15, 2007

Arbuckle Mountain Bluegrass Park between Wynnewood & Davis, Oklahoma

www.arbucklemountainbluegrasspark.com

Bluegrass bands from Oklahoma and Texas — including Bluegrass Patriots, Boggy River Bluegrass, Debbie Bridgewater Band, Clear River, Ellis County Bluegrass, Hard Time, Saltgrass, 2nd Time Around, Star Canyon and Welch Mountain Boys — will perform at this festival 65 miles south of Oklahoma City.  A Wednesday evening open stage and Saturday morning babd showcase are also slated.  An all events pass is $30; children under age 14 will be admitted free.  Daily passes also are available.  Overnight RV camping by reservation only.

Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival

September 13-15, 2007

Kodak, Tennessee

www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com

There’ll be plenty of pickin’ in the Smokies over the weekend as bands like The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Bluegrass Brothers, Cherryholmes,  David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, Grasstowne, Greenbriar, The James King Band, Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, and The Stringdusters take the stage.  Bluegrass workshops and an arts & crafts showcase round out the weekend.  A weekend pass is $75 at the gate, while daily tickets are $25 (no discount there).  Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free. 

Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival

September 13-15, 2007

Starvy Creek RV Park in Conway, Missouri

www.starvycreek.com

J.D. Crowe & The New South, Tim Graves & Cherokee, Newfound Road, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Link Family, Gary Waldrup Band, Goldwing Express, The Karl Shifflet & Big Country Show, The Drifters, and more artists will perform during this festival in south-central Missouri.  A three-day pass is $35, while daily tickets also are available.  Children under 12 will be admitted free, while tickets are half-price for those ages 12-16.  Rough camping is $4/day.  Bring your lawn chairs. 

10th Annual Park Slope Bluegrass & Old-Time Jamboree

September 14-15, 2007

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Park Slope-Brooklyn, New York

www.bsec.org

Featuring a day and a half of old-time bluegrass concerts, jamming and workshops, the jamboree takes place both inside a century-old Ethical Culture Meeting House that is home to the Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor concert series, as well as outside on its park-like grounds.  “We try to keep things on a small scale,” says popular local bluegrass band leader James Reams, who hosts the annual event.  “We want people to feel at home and have a good time.  The only thing big is the big time we hope everyone has.” 

MassBluegrass Jamboree

September 14-16, 2007

Maple Park Family Campground in East Wareham, Massachusetts

www.massbluegrass.org

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park on Cape Cod is the site of this outdoor bluegrass festival featuring music by Back Eddy Bluegrass Band, Crabgrass, David Davis & Warrior River Boys, The Harvest Band, Dan Helman & Marking Time, Hunger Mountain Boys, Jaded Mandolin, Mahogany Ridge, Buddy Merriam & Back Roads, No Spare Parts, Old Time Bluegrass Singers, Pine Hill Ramblers, Southern Rail and Three Tall Pines.  Early-bird weekend tickets, including camping, are $77 and rise to $102 after August 28.  Children under 12 admitted free, while those under 16 are $25.  Tickets prices for the second adult at the campsite are sharply reduced.  Festival tickets without camping and single-day tickets also are available. 

Millpond Music Festival

September 14-16, 2007

Millpond County Park near Bishop, California

www.inyo.org/millpond/

The picturesque Sierra Nevada Mountains in Eastern California are the backdrop for this festival featuring a mix of traditional and contemporary music  (including bluegrass) performed by such artists as Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan, Joe Craven & Django Latino, The Horse Flies, The John Jorgenson Quintet, Will Kimbrough, Joel Rafael and Vasen, among others.  A full weekend pass is $75 if purchased by September 8 and $85 at the gate.  Children ages 5-18 will be admitted for $20.  Daily tickets also are available.  Additional fees apply for camping.

Pickin’ In The Pines

September 14-16, 2007

Pine Mountain Ampitheater/Coconino County Fairgrounds in Flagstaff, Arizona

www.pickininthepines.org

Presented by the Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music, this bluegrass and acoustic music festival, now in its sophomore year, will feature artists performing traditional bluegrass, old timey and more progressive fare, along with a Saturday morning band contest, a Saturday night contra dance with music by Sweet Sunny South, and a number of workshops.  David Grisman & the Bluegrass Experience and the Kruger Brothers headline  while some new, up-and-coming bands  and local Arizona talent also will be showcased.  Three-day weekend passes are $60 in advance and $70 at the gate.  Daily tickets also are available.  Camping is an additional $5/person.  Free admission and camping for children up to age 16. 

Julian Bluegrass Festival

September 15-16, 2007

Frank Lane Park in Julian, Calfornia

www.julianbluegrassfestival.com

Now in its 37th year, this is the oldest bluegrass festival in California.  Performers are still to be announced.  Instrumental contests also are planned for Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Tickets are $15.  Bring your own chairs, and be advised that the terrain in the park is steep and uneven.