NORWICH – The Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival has been in our area for a long time. This year marks the 25th annual festival for this 4-day, family-friendly event. The promoters, Mike and Maryann Tirella of Albany have been running this festival for the last three years and in these tough economic times, have decided not to scale back, but to forge ahead. Their lineup (one of the best ever) includes nationally recognized James King – the male bluegrass vocalist of the year and Jeannette Williams – the female bluegrass vocalist of the year.
The bands that are playing are regional, national and international and the promoters promise a show that will be top-notch. “Bluegrass music festivals are one of the best kept secrets in America” says Tom Doerfel, a father of 10 who, with his wife Cheryl, travel full time across the US and Canada playing bluegrass music and making people smile. “Bluegrass music is music that is by the people, for the people and of the people,” says Mike Tirella, who is also the leader of The Cabin Fever Band.
Music from the main stage will begin Thursday, July 23 at 1 p.m. with an Open Stage where up and coming bands can take a shot on stage. The music will continue until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (July 24 & 25) the music begins and 10 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m, but the music doesn’t stop there. You can walk from campsite to campsite and hear jams throughout the Chenango County Fairgrounds til the wee hours of the morning. Sunday starts off with a Gospel set at 10 a.m. and the music will continue until 3 p.m. Also on Saturday, there will be workshops offered free to ticket holders on various bluegrass instruments. Throughout the weekend, everyone from beginning musicians to accomplished performers are welcome at Danny Stewart’s Jam Tent, a popular place for a lot of festival goers.
Rough camping is free to weekend ticket holders and a limited number of electric sites are available. A lot of fans come for the day, bringing their coolers, lawn chairs and set up for a day of great music, great food and good friends. Food vendors will be available on site along with breakfast every morning. There will also be daily activities for children. A guitar raffle, quilt raffle and 50/50 raffles along with door prizes add to the fun of the weekend.
