Bluegrass at the Gateway Festival

It’s almost here. The season that’s one of my personal favorites…summer! Yes, schools may have already started their summer break, but summer doesn’t officially begin until Friday, June 21. So what’s a better way to kick off the summer than spending it outside camping and enjoying live music.

Located at the Whitewater Valley Gateway Park, the Bluegrass at the Gateway Festival includes four days worth of activities that’s great for everyone. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 26 is open mic night in which a variety of bands will be performing. Out of those performances, one lucky band will be called back to perform on the big stage at the 2014 festival.

On Thursday afternoon, enjoy Strolling Through the Bluegrass, an educational program about the history of bluegrass. Hungry and not sure what’s for dinner? No problem! Starting at 5:30p.m., stop by the Pot Luck Dinner with your favorite covered dish or dessert and enjoy the delicious food from others around you. End the night with an open jam session on the big deck, hosted by Vernon and Kitty McIntyre. Here you can jam out with other musicians, or just sit back and listen to their sweet sounds.

Start your Friday afternoon with an interactive workshop where you will focus on the mandolin in a Q&A type session. All you need to bring is a mandolin, pencil, paper, recording device and of course your questions. In addition, make sure to have pen and paper ready by 4:30 p.m. for the meet and greet of this year’s featured bands. Here you’ll be able to meet the bands, purchase their CD’s and memorabilia. This year’s featured bands include…

• Appalachian Grass
• Tish and Company
• The Retread BG Band
• Berachah Valley
• Open Rail
• My Favorite Bluegrass Band
• Dixie Ryders
• Coffey Brothers

…and more! Enjoy their music live as bands hit the big stage at 6p.m and play till 11p.m.

Finish off the festival by starting Saturday morning with another interactive Q&A workshop, except this time focusing on banjos. Afterwards, relax and enjoy the rest of your day with live performances from featured bands on the big stage.

Yes, all of these fun events are happening all within four days. So mark your calendars and get your camping gear ready because June 26 will be here before you know it!

For more information about the Bluegrass at the Gateway Festival, visit www.whitewatercanalscenicbyway.org, or call 765-647-2541 to register or schedule an event.