FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The County Bluegrass Festival returns to Fort Fairfield this week for four days of bluegrass performance, jam sessions and RV camping.
Now in its 14th year, the County Bluegrass Festival runs from July 25-28 and features more than 10 different bands from around North America.
It’s one of Maine’s largest bluegrass music gatherings and will bring more than 500 people to camp at Fort Fairfield’s Farm Park pole barn and RV campground, said Stev Rogeski, who runs the event with his wife Nancy.
“It’s really like a big family reunion out there. Some never come under the pole barn at all. They stay in the camp area visiting with friends and they can hear the music real well.”
Bluegrass music evolved out of American roots music in the Applachians and is traditionally played with entirely acoustic stringed instruments.
Rogeski said the event draws bluegrass bands like Maine-based Blistered Fingers and those from around the United States and Canada.
“We’ve got bands that come from Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island.”
The event is held three times a year in Aroostook County: in July, during Labor Day weekend and in January at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. It’s a low-key gathering that draws bluegrass enthusiasts and musicians alike, Rogeski said.
“The one thing that’s really unique about it is, the people on stage will come off and talk to you like you’re a normal person. When the show is over the fun really begins here. We get our show done early at 9 o’clock on purpose because our customers want to go back out to the field to jam in campgrounds. Our artists will go right out there and jam all night.”
For information, visit http://countybluegrass.com/.
