FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – Bluegrass fans will have good reason to be in Fort Fairfield this Labor Day weekend.
Since 2006, Stev and Nancy Rogeski have hosted The County Bluegrass Festival from property they own in Fort Fairfield, known as The Farm Park, excluding the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The festival returned in 2022 and has regained ground by bringing in a slew of popular and emerging performers.
The Rogeskis attend the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in Nashville and smaller festivals every year, seeking out new talent. This year, 10 bands will perform alternating sets from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, many of whom the Rogeskis have met on their journeys.
The Mike Mitchell Band will make their New England debut with shows at 3 and 6 p.m. Friday. Band frontman Mike Mitchell is from Virginia and is well known for the bluegrass music school he runs for area youth, said Stev Rogeski.
Joining Mitchell on Friday, at 4 and 7 p.m., will be The Grass Messengers, another newcomer to County Bluegrass.
“They’re out of New York City and just started on the festival circuit,” Stev Rogeski said. “It’s rare to find a traditional bluegrass band out of New York City.”
Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run of Virginia is the third band new to The County, whose song “That’s Alright” is currently number one on bluegrass music charts. They will perform Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.
Chris Jones, host of SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, is one of the more well-known musicians. He will perform with New Brunswick-based singer Ivan Rosenberg Thursday at 4 and 7 p.m.
Many bands will be returning to County Bluegrass, including Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road from North Carolina, The Ruta Beggars from Massachusetts, Kristy Cox & Grasstime from Tennessee, Blistered Fingers from Waterville, Maine; and Nick Chandler & Delivered from North Carolina.
Stev Rogeski credits the festival’s small size and laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere for why hundreds have returned, even post pandemic. Many attendees have traveled from as far as Texas, Oklahoma, Washington state, Virginia and North Carolina, as well as New England and Canada.
“We’re still recovering from the pandemic, but we probably saw 300 people last year and are expecting a little bigger crowd this year,” Rogeski said.
The Farm Park has space for 800 campers, 350 of which come with electricity and water hook-ups. So far 130 campers are signed up.
Weekend festival passes cost $85 and include a free camping spot. Tickets for day performances will be $15 for Thursday, $20 Friday and $30 Saturday and Sunday.
A full music schedule can be found on The County Bluegrass Festival’s website.
