Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival concluded its annual summer homecoming with a winning combination of bluegrass, newgrass, and roots music, drawing thousands of attendees to Oak Hill, NY, for another unforgettable weekend. Set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Catskill Mountains, the four-day gathering is known as the largest and longest-running bluegrass festival in the Northeastern United States. Each year, pickers, players, and passionate fans of all backgrounds and ages come together to celebrate bluegrass’ past, present, and future. At its 2024 reunion, Grey Fox upheld its tradition of delivering world-class talent from all corners of roots and international music to its home at Walsh Farm, with a show-stopping music lineup that embraced a diverse range of artists.
Festival director Mary Burdette shares, "Grey Fox has become a home-away-from-home for countless music enthusiasts over the years. I am immensely proud of the warm, familial atmosphere we've nurtured and extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers, talented artists, passionate fans, generous sponsors, and all who champion this festival in the Hudson Valley. We are particularly thrilled to share our beloved event with so many newcomers; it’s always gratifying to see fresh faces discover the magic that is Grey Fox. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back next year."
Grey Fox 2024 saw unprecedented performances by bluegrass trailblazers including longtime friends of the festival Del McCoury Band, The Steeldrivers, I Draw Slow, and The Gibson Brothers; marquee names like Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Tony Trischka’s EarlJam; and inspiring debuts from IBMA award-winning South Korean bluegrass group Country GongBang, teen mandolin sensation Wyatt Ellis, indelible all-female ensemble Sister Sadie, captivating instrumental trio Hawktail, renowned troubadour Charlie Parr, French-Canadian folk titans Le Vent Du Nord, and prolific classic country songwriter Brennen Leigh. Hosted by festival fixtures Dry Branch Fire Squad and enhanced by cameo appearances from artist-at-large Della Mae, including sit-ins with Sister Sadie, Molly Tuttle, Tony Trischka, and more, the 2024 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is one for the books.
“The spirit of Grey Fox is in the community of music lovers, volunteers, and organizers who come together to bring this extraordinary event to life," adds Della Mae founding member and fiddle player Kimber Ludiker. “We’ve played here nearly every year that we’ve been a band, and it’s been a real honor to be in the artist-in-residence role this year.”
Along with its outstanding musical lineup, each annual Grey Fox gathering boasts a variety of music and dance seminars, yoga and meditation sessions, official jam sessions and pop-up picking parties, food and craft vendors, youth programs, and much more. Among this year’s highlights were Intro to Quebecois Music by Le Vent Du Nord, “Their Songs, Their Voices,” an empowering presentation of woman-fronted talent featuring Celia Woodsmith, Tammy Rogers, and Brennen Leigh, a steady rotation of emerging artist showcases including Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, Into the Fog, and The Clements Brothers, a songwriting lab by Joe Newberry, and, of course, the performance by Grey Fox 2024 Bill Vernon Memorial Scholarship recipients Ethan Church and Megan Mendenhall.
As the curtains close on another incredible festival weekend, all sights are set on Grey Fox’s return to Walsh Farm July 16-20, 2025, with ticket and lineup news forthcoming.
