Filling a 15 acre forest-lined park with music, workshops and campers, Bluegrass from the Forest has become a staple on the Northwest Bluegrass circuit. Hosted by the local Kristmas Town Kiwanis, with the goal to help local youth, along with workshops and “tastings” between band sets, the festival hosts two stages, food, drink, vendors, and plenty of level tent and RV sites on the grass. Geared towards both families and individuals of all ages, the Chick Rose Kids School of Bluegrass is offered through the Festival weekend for no additional charge.
The Festival’s program features four major concerts throughout the three days highlighting top talent throughout the nation. The music ranges from traditional bluegrass to the more progressive styles.
Cost:
Tickets start at just $20/ entire weekend $55. KIDS free or discounted depending on age. Camping on site just $15/night!
Beginning on the Saturday morning youth are divided into groups according to their musical ability, they are coached by advanced musicians (often the national performer band members!) to create a special performance Saturday on the main stage.
During the downtimes the event features a variety of FREE instrument and vocal workshops.
Camping on site is just $15/night!
Saturday night features the famous "midnight hot-dogs" after the country dance. All the campfire jamming halts momentarily as the pickers and their families join the musicians for a midnight feast in the main tent
2024 Line up
The Jacob Jolliff Band – New York
Crying Uncle Band – California
The Lonesome Town Painters – British Columbia
Heartbreak Pass – Idaho
Caleb and Reeb – Washington
The Bar K Buckaroos – Oregon
Union City Council Bluegrass Band – Washington
Runaway Train Bluegrass Band – Washington
Saturday night Country Dance – Bar K Buckaroos
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2024 BAND LINE UP
Northwest Bluegrass fans know Jacob Jolliff for his fantastic mandolin since he was a teenager. At college Jolliff studied jazz, Celtic and other intricate musical forms that influenced his musical versatility. In 2012 he won the National Mandolin Championship in Kansas. Jacob played and recorded with Yonder Mountain String Band for five years. These days, his main focus is The Jacob Jolliff Band. The band has produced two albums and are traveling from New York to headline at Bluegrass from the Forest.
Widely recognized as one of the most exciting young bands in acoustic music, Crying Uncle Band from California plays a unique mix of bluegrass, jazz, and modern originals. They are the recipient of the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band of the Year award.
From Vancouver, BC, The Lonesome Town Painters Band has a sound that harkens back to the raw and ragged edge of the genre. While they draw from the golden era, it’s their original songs that show just how far they have come.
Known to roots music fans for their soulful harmonies, Caleb & Reeb play driving dance tunes, classic original songs and commitment to the raw truth of rural American music, these two have helped inspire the remarkable growth of the old time community in the Northwest.
Heartbreak Pass from Idaho have long been known as one of the best vocalists and bass bands in the inland Northwest bluegrass scene. Ms Bonnie is the ‘Rock’ this band is built around. Stan Hall holds down the guitar duties, vocals and harmony. Randy Engle, brings his mando and guitar, along with incredible vocals, to round out this trio.
Based in Union, WA in Union City Council Bluegrass Band was created out of their love of traditional bluegrass. They are quickly becoming a favorite around the Pacific NW bluegrass festival circuit.
As the host band for Saturday night's Country Dance, The Bar-K Buckaroos play traditional western swing dance music in the style of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. They bring their love of Bluegrass, Country and Swing, Jazz, Blues and Raggae’ to form a great evening of western swing and 20-40’s era swing music.
Runaway Train Bluegrass Band is the host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival. This traditional Bluegrass band is a local favorite.