Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The 15th annual Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival comes to town

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Kick start your bluegrass summer with the Fifteenth Annual Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival (WRBF), June 16, 17 and 18, featuring superstar bluegrass bands that will put the kick in your bluegrass start. The 15th annual extraordinary line up goes like this…. 

Balsam Range is one of the genre’s most award winning artists in recent years, garnering 10 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards with five critically acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has put on live performances across the nation, including multiple Grand Old Opry appearances that have left audiences spellbound.

Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, the sweethearts of bluegrass, are a multi-award winning duo, with gutsy, heartfelt vocals, brilliant instrumental talents and a powerful, contemporary sense of song choice and arrangement. They are one of the most compelling sounds in bluegrass today.

Cedar Hill delivers honest, emotive original songs, soulful, heartfelt vocals and great picking with drive is what Cedar Hill is known for. Settled into their own in the mainstream of the National bluegrass scene, they have been pleasing audiences everywhere with their original, exciting brand of traditional bluegrass. 

Downtown Mountain Boys, are bluegrass veterans and recording artists of the PNW music scene and wizards when it comes to picking with real firepower. “Their repertoire spans the best loved standards to their own high powered originals”, with their original material rooted deep in the traditions of the bluegrass genre. 

North Country is one of Seattle’s premier traditional bluegrass bands. In October of 2015, they were selected to showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Association in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their individual experience and musical accomplishments coalesce into one traditional, driving bluegrass sound.

Rusty Hinges Bluegrass grew out of the bluegrass jam circles at local festivals. Their music is a blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass and Americana. Each member is a veteran of the Pacific Northwest bluegrass scene. Their collective experience results in a musical program that is polished and entertaining.

Along with our fantastic stage shows the WRBF also includes a variety of events:

For those of you not quite ready for the high speed jam sessions, heard all over the grounds, our Slow Jam is the place to practice your chops and learn how to maneuver a jam session and maximize your enjoyment picking with other folks and meeting new bluegrass friends!

Step out and experience what it’s like to perform in a band in our fun and relaxed Band Scramble. 

To round out the festival experience, we have a team of young performers lead by Jake Monroe and Kaiti Dewhirst, signed on to instruct our youth instrument workshops, Taylor’s Camp. Taylor’s Camp is designed to perpetuate the tradition of passing our bluegrass heritage to the next generation. For our Adult Instrument Workshops, learn some new tricks and tips to amuse and amaze even you, from the top notch musicians of our headliner bands! 

Wake up Sunday with the Sunday Morning Gospel Show featuring Rusty Hinges Bluegrass, North Country and Cedar Hill.

We will have food and merchandise vendors available, for when you need some nourishment to keep going or a souvenir to take home with you as a reminder of all the fun and enjoyment. 

Camping opens Monday, June 12 and is the best in a bluegrass community experience. Prices can be found on the website, www.wenatcheeriverbluegrass.com. Thursday campers are invited to the Meet-and-Greet Luau. Just look for the Hawaiian camp!

So go ahead, kick start your June with bluegrass delivered direct to you from the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival! The Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival (WRBF) located at the Chelan County Expo Center, 5700 Wescott Ave, Cashmere is put on by the good folks of the Cashmere Community Concerts. Each year, the WRBF brings new folks over the mountains to experience the beauty of our great region. A scenic drive through some of Washington’s most breathtaking areas, it encompasses everything an outdoor enthusiast could want, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, golf (several courses), fly fishing, mountain climbing and river rafting. For information on additional events and camping call 548-1230 or visit our website.

 

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