Renowned banjo player and California native Alison Brown will headline an eclectic lineup of established and up-and-coming bluegrass stars at the California Bluegrass Association’s 49th annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, slated for June 13-16 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, Calif. Single-day and four-day passes are on sale now for the festival, which will feature 32 performers appearing on three stages, including five rising California showcase bands.
In addition to Brown, who won a Grammy for her duet with Béla Fleck on her song, “Leaving Cottondale,” mainstage players will include Sister Sadie, Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, Lonesome River Band, the Horsenecks, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, Country Gongbang, Tray Wellington Band and Paul Brown & Terri McMurray. Five up-and-coming California Showcase bands will also be featured on the Main Stage, with more artists to be announced soon. Single day tickets, ranging from $25 to $85, and full four-day festival passes, $70 for teens 13 to 17, $235 for adults up to age 65, and $220 for ages 65 and up, are available now by visiting fathersdayfestival.com. CBA Members receive ticket discounts.
Founded in 1976, the family-friendly Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival has become a beloved annual celebration of roots music. Bluegrass fans converge to frolic amid the majestic pines on this nearly 90-acre spot in the Sierra Nevada foothills, swinging their partners during square-dancing sessions, learning from masters during workshops, joining in on or listening to impromptu jam sessions, enjoying food, beverage and craft offerings, and camping under the stars (lodging is also available in Grass Valley and Nevada City). Kidfest, a major component of the event, offers crafts, games and music for younger attendees; the Kids on Bluegrass program gives musically skilled players up to age 18 an opportunity to perform on the festival mainstage; and the CBA Youth Academy, for 8- to 16-year-olds, is a music camp for beginner and intermediate students.
Tent, camper-van and tent-trailer camping (without hookups) and parking for one car are included with full festival passes. RV hookups are available on a limited basis; for more information and fees, check the website.
About California Bluegrass Association
The nonprofit California Bluegrass Association, founded in 1975, encourages, fosters and cultivates the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, support and performance of bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and traditional instrumental and vocal music of the United States. The organization and festival are operated by volunteers dedicated to presenting premier acoustic music in a community-based, family-friendly setting. For more information, visit californiabluegrass.org.
For festival details or to purchase tickets, visit fathersdayfestival.com. Nevada City Fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, Calif. 95949.
