Frankfort Bluegrass Festival Prepares For 16th Year

FRANKFORT, IL — The annual Frankfort Bluegrass Festivall will celebrate its 16th year on July 11-12 in downtown Frankfort.

Event organizers shared that the festival includes Grammy award winners and international bands for free over two days on three stages.

"We are very proud to host the Bluegrass Festival in our beautiful downtown and welcome visitors and music lovers from all over,” Steve Haberichter, a founding member of the bluegrass committee said in a news release. "Our all-volunteer committee has done an amazing job of assembling such talented performers and creating a family-friendly event. The music captures the heart of American music, and we are continually impressed by the outstanding musicianship brought to all three stages."

This year's festival features 40 performances by 15 bands, as well as a dedicated green space kids’ area and activities, and a food selection.

Three stages - Briedert Green, Prairie Park, Old Plank Trail - showcase award- winning bluegrass acts Dan Tyminski Band, Nick Dumas & Branchline, Trey Hensley Band, The Burnett Sisters Band, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, as well as local favorites Fox Crossing Stringband, Special Consensus Band, The Grateful String Band and more, event organizers said.

Bands will play from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

“Our committee works year round to bring two days of superior bluegrass talent to the public free,” said Haberichter.

The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival is also a former “Event of the Year” award holder as named by the International Bluegrass Musical Association. The local festival continues to book award-winning international talent with the support of The International Bluegrass Music Association, which for the third consecutive summer finances the IBMA International Band Performance Grant, according to a news release.

The band The Often Herd from Northern England will grace three stages with four performances over two days.

“The Often Herd have established themselves as a stand-out band in the vibrant European Bluegrass scene, with a growing fan base across the continent,” said Christopher Howard-Williams, IBMA Board Member and Founder of Bluegrass in La Roche. “I am delighted that they are receiving this grant, and I’m excited to see the reception they get from American Bluegrass fans.”

“For the third straight year we’ve been honored to host the IBMA International Band Grant winners and these young globetrotters relish the chance to perform for the Frankfort audiences,” said Amanda Thompson, a founding member of the all- volunteer committee.

The IBMA International Band Performance Grant is awarded annually to one outstanding non-U.S. band seeking to grow their presence in the American market.

Family Area

The fest also offers a Kids Activity Area in Prairie Park. The area welcomes toddlers to teens to make crafts, play games, and enjoy the performances from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, event organizers said. Kids of all ages are encouraged the visit the Down Home Guitar tent to try out bluegrass instruments.

“As always our mission is to promote the preservation and education of bluegrass music, a true traditional American musical art form, in beautiful historic downtown Frankfort,” said Haberichter.