Is anyone here from the New England area? I know it’s not exactly bluegrass country, but, was wondering if there are any annual festivals or events here in the northeast. Thanks…
Bluegrass festivals and events
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I’m from Cleveland Ohio, the location of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When you walk into any Guitar Store any where within a 50 mile radius, you can find lots of electric guitars and usually a small acoustic corner in the back. Needless to say Bluegrass is not a mainstream genre around here. I did a quick search and found a site for Connecticut. https://ctbluegrass.com/festivals/
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Yes, New Hampshire here.
You just missed Joe Val (https://bbu.org/events/joe-val-festival/), held at a large hotel in Framingham MA this past weekend. One of the best festivals around, and the only one I’m aware of in the area during the winter. Basically the convention portion of the hotel, and 5 floors of the hotel get dedicated to 24/7 picking. Lots of classes, workshops, hosted jams, and national talent performances (Del McCoury, Gibson Brothers). They also often have a “Jam Val” at the same location in November that is less shows, more jamming.
My favorite festivals are Jenny Brook in Tunbridge VT, and the new-as-of-last-year Crooked River Gathering in Hiram, ME.
Here’s my festival schedule for the year:
Blistered Fingers, Litchfield, ME. 6/18-6/21 - https://www.blisteredfingers.com/
Jenny Brook, Tunbridge, VT. 6/25-6/28 - https://jennybrookbluegrass.com/
Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Hiram, ME. 7/23-7/26 - https://ossipeevalley.com/
Ossipee isn’t strictly bluegrass, but there’s plenty of pickin’ opportunities.
Podunk, Goshen, CT. 8/5-8/9 - https://podunkbluegrass.com/
Blistered Fingers August, Litchfield, ME. 8/27-8/30 - https://www.blisteredfingers.com/
Crooked River Gathering, Hiram, ME. 9/3-9/6 - https://crookedriverarts.org/
Also, check out Banjo Camp and Mandolin camp held at the Prindle Pond Conference Center in Charlton, MA.
Mandolin Camp North, Charlton, MA. 4/24-4/26 - https://musiccampsnorth.com/
Banjo Camp North, Charlton, MA. 5/15-5/17 - https://musiccampsnorth.com/
And if you’re into mandolin, there is the David Surette Mandolin Festival in Concord, NH. This is more of an educational festival held at a music school, but a great event for mando.
David Surette Mandolin Festival, Concord, NH. 3/6-3/8 - https://www.ccmusicschool.org/david-surette-mandolin-festival/
Where in New England are you?
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Thanks Scot, I really appreciate it! That’s some good info., Can’t believe I just missed the one in Framingham, won’t ever miss that one again. Anyway, I am in the Sturbridge, MA area, just a little west of Worcester. I could almost walk to the event in Charlton, not big on mandolin or banjo, but will probably go anyway, i’m sure they’ll be some flatpickers there!
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