The Prescott Bluegrass Festival is Approaching Fast
Celebrating its 35th year, the Prescott Bluegrass Festival is set for June 25 and 26.
What started as a fiddle contest dedicated to a local fiddler, took on the form of a traditional bluegrass festival in the mid-1980s. It remains the only free bluegrass festival of its kind in Arizona.
The headliner for the year is Bluegrass Etc. The group is internationally known and tours around the globe. Bluegrass Etc. consists of John Moore on the mandolin, guitar and vocals; Dennis Caplinger who play banjo, fiddle and does vocals; and Bill Bryson on bass and vocals. The band has its roots in bluegrass music, but has evolved over the years into a more dynamic and eclectic acoustic band.
Other performers of the festival include Burning Heart Bluegrass, known for their high-powered vocals and soaring harmonies, they take their repertoire from old and new classics.
Also playing will be James Reams and the Barnstormers, performing their contemporary take on traditional bluegrass. The Old Blue Band will also be performing bluegrass the old fashioned way. They’re focused on bluegrass founders and are dedicated to the preservation of bluegrass music.
The Ping Brothers, consisting of Frank and Doug, grew up on a farm in the hills of Kentucky where their mother taught them their first chords on a guitar. They learned to play at a young age and have performed all over the country.
A schedule of events can be found HERE.
Like so many other festivals in Prescott, this one will be held in the Courthouse Plaza. The Bluegrass Festival stage will be located on Goodwin St. along the south side of the plaza. The festival is free and food and beverages will be on sale at the show.
Bring a picnic and your dog if you like, but alcohol is not allowed. Raffle drawings will also be held for several great prizes and you don’t need to be present to win.
