Music on the square

The East Troy Bluegrass Festival is looking for contestants for its open stage and fiddle contests on Saturday and banjo, mandolin and guitar contests on Sunday. Cash prizes will be awarded. Sign up at easttroybluegrass.com.
The East Troy Bluegrass Festival is looking for contestants for its open stage and fiddle contests on Saturday and banjo, mandolin and guitar contests on Sunday. Cash prizes will be awarded. Sign up at easttroybluegrass.com.

East Troy Bluegrass Festival celebrates 23 years with big names

The East Troy Bluegrass Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, is celebrating its 23rd year with a weekend lineup that includes two of the industry’s biggest names.

Flatt Lonesome, which recently garnered five major award nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association, will headline the Saturday schedule. The band was named IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year in 2014 and has been called “the sort of band bluegrass needs right now” by Bluegrass Today.

“We are so excited to have this band play at East Troy Village Square Park during its whirlwind rise to the top. The IBMA Awards are like the Grammys for bluegrass music and are watched and celebrated by bluegrass fans all over the globe,” East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lenz said.

“Flatt Lonesome is featured on bluegrass radio across the country and world and has played at some of the biggest bluegrass events on the continent. We are thrilled the band is adding East Troy to the list,” she added.

Sunday’s headliner Sideline will also take the stage during the all-star bluegrass event. The powerful group of seasoned pros has been getting busier and busier since a “side project” became a main gig for its members after the release of its popular debut album.

Staying true to the festival’s roots, local, emerging and popular regional bands will pepper each day’s lineup.

The two-day East Troy Bluegrass Festival, presented by the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place at East Troy Village Square Park, 2888 Main St. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.

In addition to the musical entertainment, other festival highlights include a popular food court featuring local fare and a Marketplace featuring local crafters, artisans and farmers market vendors.

Admission is $10 per person. Children 15 and younger are admitted free.

Admission fees have increased for the first time in five years to allow organizers to keep up with rising event costs.

“We wanted to still make it affordable for two full days of quality music, but our board of directors determined it was a necessary increase for us to continue to hold the festival for years to come. We truly appreciate your continued support,” Lenz said.

Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. No alcohol is allowed at this family event.

The rain location is East Troy Middle School, 3143 Graydon Ave.

Serving the food

The Bluegrass Food Court vendors include:

  • East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce – soda, water, coffee;
  • East Troy Area Historical Society – Elegant Farmer caramel apples and pie;
  • Flavor Box Organics – tacos and more;
  • Gus’s Drive-in – Sprecher root beer floats;
  • LD’s BBQ – pulled barbecue pork sandwich and chips;
  • Loomis-Martin American Legion Post 188 – roasted sweet corn; and
  • Pops Kettle Corn – kettle corn.

Meet the headliners

Since their debut in 2011, Flatt Lonesome has enjoyed a nearly unprecedented trip to place them among the bluegrass elite.

Stellar picking and heartfelt songs centered around beautiful sibling harmony have made Flatt Lonesome a hit among bluegrass fans both young and old and their vibrant, youthful spirit with careful respect toward tradition has earned the praise of peers twice their age.

Sideline Bluegrass captures so much of what was great about bluegrass in the 1980s and early 1990s. In large measure, Sideline serves up what was contemporary bluegrass 30 years ago and sounds traditional in 2016.

Sideline’s driving bluegrass with killer harmonies and propulsive rhythm, well-chosen blend of new and old material, and especially the focus being an equal ensemble takes the listener right back in time to when these guys were jamming in the campground.

Volunteers needed

The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking volunteers to work three-hour shifts to sell food and beverage tickets and admission wristbands on Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11. The shifts run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Set-up and clean up help is also needed from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each day.

To sign up, email vanessa@easttroy.org

For more information on the festival, visit easttroybluegrass.com.

 

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