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| Natalie and Donnell at RockyGrass 2008 |
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As we continue work on the (as yet unannounced) lineup for the 37th Annual RockyGrass, we can't help but grin thinking about the unforgettable weekend we all shared on the Planet Bluegrass Ranch last July - three days of the greatest bluegrass musicians on the Planet along the banks of the St. Vrain River. If you were there, connect with your fellow Festivarians at the Festivarian Forum. If you missed out, read a few articles about the weekend. We hope to see all of you next year for the 37th RockyGrass - July 24-26, 2009. The online lottery for on-site camping will be open from November 24 thru December 7. All other tickets go on sale on December 10 at 9am MST.
The Scene
The 2008 RockyGrass lineup explored the many roots and branches of bluegrass music - from Celtic (Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy) to newgrass (Psychograss; Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and Edgar Meyer, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile) to classic (JD Crowe & The New South, Dan Tyminski Band, Peter Rowan) to old-time fusion (Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Béla Fleck) to brilliant younger bands (Infamous Stringdusters, Chatham County Line, Bearfoot, The Steeldrivers) to the only-at-RockyGrass (Sam Bush Bluegrass Band) to much, much more.
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| RockyGrass festivarians |
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RockyGrass is held at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, Colorado - located along the wooded banks of the beautiful St. Vrain River. The historic quarry town of Lyons is just 15 miles north of Boulder in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The town is known for its antique stores, restaurants, artists, and musicians.
Numerous camping options nearby include: on-site at the festival grounds, under the cliffs at Meadow Park (a quick five-minute walk from the festival), or at the Olson Campground (a 10-minute walk or via the free shuttle buses).
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| Sam Bush Band all-star finale |
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Non-musical activities in and around Lyons include single-track mountain biking at Hall Ranch, river sports in the Meadow Park whitewater course, touring through Rocky Mountain National Park (40 minutes up the hill from Lyons), and hiking in the nearby National Forest lands.
A Day at RockyGrass
A day at RockyGrass starts with a campground breakfast or a quick walk to downtown Lyons to relax at one of the fine coffee shops. Whether walking the campgrounds or Main Street in Lyons, live bluegrass music already fills the air. Soon the sound of bagpipes echoes off the canyon walls, signaling the opening of the festival grounds and the morning tarp rush.
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| Sparrow Quartet |
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As the afternoon heats up, kids of all ages flock to the sandy beach - beach toys, inner tubes, and all. Meanwhile older folks make new friends with tarp dwellers close to the main stage or under the shady trees. Away from the stage, kids work on crafts in the family tent, while musicians form jam circles in the woods along the river or listen to an instrument contest or workshop in the Wildflower Tent.
All day the audience is treated to headliner after headliner on the main stage. Then when the final headliner finishes their set on the main stage, the campgrounds come alive with jam sessions. A walk through the campground is a vital part of the RockyGrass experience - hearing pickers of all ages and backgrounds sharing in the common language of bluegrass music.
Mark your calendar for the on-site camping lottery for 2009 - open from November 24 thru December 7. Make sure you're signed up for our "Notes from the Planet" emails for all the latest lineup and ticket news. We look forward to seeing you next July for the 37th RockyGrass - July 24-26, 2009.