NORWICH – The Norwich Bluegrass Festival has been a summer staple in the area for more than two decades. This year’s event will take place July 26-28 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, 168 East Main Street, Norwich.
Attendees will have the ability to purchase either a weekend pass or a day ticket at the gate of the fairgrounds this weekend. A weekend pass is $50 and includes camping throughout the weekend. Friday and Saturday tickets are available at the gate for a $25 fee. Cash or checks are accepted.
According to Danny Stewart, festival promoter, a number of bluegrass enthusiasts spend their summers traveling the nation to various festivals where they are able to camp and enjoy their musical genre of choice. Stewart said he knows there will be attendees coming from Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania - in addition to the local area residents who faithfully attend the festival.
Music will begin Friday at noon, with an open mic. Then bluegrass bands from across the nation will take to the stage. Performing ensembles include Smokey Greene, all-female group Sweet Potato Pie, Kevin Richardson and Cuttin’ Edge, and Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass.
“There is some wonderful talent this year,” said Stewart. “It’s a weekend of great music and it’s truly a safe, family friendly festival.”
Stewart offered his description of the genre of bluegrass, stating it is an offset of country, with instruments including guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass.
“A lot of the songs are about real life,” he said. “They are songs about hardships, happy times, some are spiritual or religious, some are fun, and others touch on tragedy.”
Saturday’s entertainment begins at noon, and the day is filled with competition bands. Seven bands have entered the competition and will take to the stage twice throughout the day, with 30 minute sets each time. Ensembles entered into the competition include: The Zepp Family Band, Reyna-Rose Band, Ernie Evans and Tyler Williams, Pactolas Sisters, The Last Whippoorwill Band, Nitro Ride, and Ingersoll Brothers with Aaron Foster and Nick Piccininni.
Fans have the opportunity to vote for the band they like the best, said Stewart. To do this, an attendee simply writes their band of preference on the back of a ticket stub and place it in the voting box on the stage prior to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The awards will be announced at 9:15 p.m.
According to Stewart, third place will take home $500, second place wins $1,000 and the first place band takes home the grand prize of $2,000.
Craft and food vendors will be on hand throughout the weekend, said Stewart, who added the festival is a safe, family scene and appropriate for those of all ages. He added there are ample showers and bathrooms, and plenty of electric for those with campers.
“We’re also having a jam tent,” said Stewart. “Musicians - beginners included - can bring your instruments to the open jam, which will be led by various musicians.”
The first jam begins at 8 p.m. Thursday. Jams will run Friday and Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. and wrapping up at 1 a.m.
Workshops will be held on Friday, stated Stewart, with four instruments highlighted: mandolin, guitar, fiddle and banjo.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with the always popular gospel sing with Mike and Mary Robinson, beginning at 10 a.m.
Gates will open for the festival at 5 p.m. on Thursday for those with advance tickets to enter the fairgrounds to camp. Both weekend tickets and day passes will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, said Stewart.
For additional information on the Norwich Bluegrass Festival visit norwichbluegrass.com