What is it that makes Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (July 16-19 in Oak Hill, NY) the ultimate festival experience? Is it the line-up? Sure, the 40-band lineup boasts heavy hitters such as The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass and The Steep Canyon Rangers for starters. Is it the venue? Soft grass under foot, the meandering Catskill Creek and the correspondingly named mountains flanking the horizons, five stages all within walking distance of your campsite are all part of the magic. And how about the extras? There’s amazing and diverse food, hand-picked vendors, hands-on workshops, and a bluegrass academy for kids dedicated to growing the next generation of pickers.

But none of these are the real reason that Grey Fox stands strong against its bigger and perhaps more widely known festival brethren. The true magic will come from you—you, who carefully choose your musical destinations; you, who know that pomp and circumstance mean nothing if the fans aren’t united in their love of what’s coming from and returning to the stage. Performers and fans alike feel the love at Grey Fox, and it shows in their reverence and dedication to this event where everyone is treated to a once-a-year amalgamation of all that is good in music. Once you go to Grey Fox, you might just find yourself there year after year. See you at Grey Fox.