Back by popular demand, Grammy-winning progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters and nonprofit Rooster Walk Inc. are once again joining forces to produce The Infamous Weekend family-friendly “mini-fest” from Sept. 19-21 at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Va.
The second-year event will expand to three days at Pop’s Farm, the home of the Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. Headlined by six sets of music from The Infamous Stringdusters, this year’s beefed-up lineup will also include performances by Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, The Lil Smokies, The Last Revel, Dangermuffin, Jon Stickley Trio, Falco & Book play Garcia, The Wilson Springs Hotel, Isaac Hadden, Florencia & The Feeling, TC Carter Band and The Fly Birds.
Jon Stickley Trio, The Wilson Springs Hotel, Isaac Hadden and Florencia & The Feeling will each perform two sets in Virginia’s Piedmont foothills region, where late September weather is typically pleasant both day and night.
Patrons will be able to enter Pop’s Farm as early as noon on Thursday to begin setting up their campsites and preparing for a weekend of fun. Thursday’s only musical performance will be a special set by The Infamous Stringdusters on the intimate Pine Grove Stage.
“We couldn’t be any more excited about the return of The Infamous Weekend,” said Johnny Buck, executive director of Rooster Walk Inc. “The Stringdusters are a pleasure to work with, and they’ve really embraced this event and want to grow it as their hallmark, once-a-year event. They’ve given great input in helping curate this band lineup, and they’re going to be offering their fans so many unique opportunities to meet and interact with them over the course of these three days at Pop’s Farm.”
Among those ‘Duster-centric activities include a bike ride with lead singer Travis Book to Mountain Valley Brewing in Axton, as well as several exclusive opportunities for VIP ticket holders, including a one-hour set Saturday afternoon on the waterfront VIP Stage, a “Happy Hour Meet & Greet” with the band Friday afternoon, and an acoustic fireside jam that caps Friday’s musical offerings. Other concepts and ideas are still in the works and could be added in the coming weeks and months.
Fans at The Infamous Weekend will enjoy on-site camping, food, art and craft vendors, outdoor excursions and children’s activities, among other attractions. The event’s music will primarily alternate between the Lawn Stage and the Pine Grove Stage, while the entire venue will be open to camping and on-site parking.
Outdoors-loving music fans will also have the chance to take part in guided floats and fly fishing trips on the nearby Smith River, play a round on the free six-hole disc golf course at Pop’s Farm and take pedal boat trips on Pop’s Pond.
Last year’s Infamous Weekend drew about 1,500 music fans from all parts of the country.
“To be honest, the patron feedback from last year’s Infamous Weekend couldn’t have been much better,” said Buck. “The fans love the music, the venue, the vibe. They appreciated how easy and laid back it was to see great bands, spend time with family and friends and interact with members of The ‘Dusters. Our plan is to keep the vibe intact while making it better with small improvements and thoughtful touches.”
Tickets for this year’s event became available to the public at noon EST on Wednesday, April 10th. In addition to admission tickets, passes are now on sale for on-site RV spaces, car camping spaces, cabins and glamping packages. For more information about the event, tickets, and Pop’s Farm, visit www.infamousweekend.com.
