38th Annual Bowers Bluegrass Festival held in August

The Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association will host its 38th annual Bowers Bluegrass Festival from Friday, Aug. 23, to Sunday Aug. 25 in New Washoe City, according to a news release. The festival features 12 bands over the three days.

The festival includes bands Appalachian Road Show, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Broken Compass Bluegrass, SLO County Stumblers, The High Water Line, Salty Sally, The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers, The Monday Night Volunteers, Sugarpine Bluegrass, High West Bluegrass, Front Porch, and the Nevada State Junior Fiddle Champion.

On Friday, gates open at 3 p.m., with local bands Coyote Crossing and SugarPine Bluegrass warming up the crowd for a Reno favorite, Broken Compass Band, at 6:45 p.m.. An old-fashioned Country Supper, catered by Bone Appetit Bar-B-Que Grill, is available on Friday (advance purchase by July 15).

On Saturday, gates open at 9 a.m., with opening ceremony 30 minutes after. Throughout the day, local bands including the Monday Night Volunteers, Front Porch and High West, as well as regional favorites the Salty Sallys, SLO County Stumblers (who will play Old Time Fiddle tunes for a contra dance, complete with a dance caller), and the national headliner, the Appalachian Road Show coming out from Georgia. Also appearing on Saturday will be the newly crowned Nevada State Junior Fiddle Champion, 9-year-old Ruby Herz with her fiddle teacher, Sevina Versales.

On Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m. A second performance by the Appalachian Road Show will feature Bluegrass Gospel songs, and additional bands, Wildcat Mountain Ramblers and The High Water Line will perform. The culmination of the festival will be a performance by AJ Lee & Blue Summit, starting at 4 p.m.

The festival is an outdoor, family friendly event and activities conclude each day at dusk. Attendees are welcome to bring folding chairs (there’s a special section in front for low-backed chairs). There is ample free parking available. Park does not allow glass containers or pets.

Some new features to the long-running festival include free face painting by The Desert Face Painter from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There is a van shuttle running loops between camping, parking areas and the festival, and there will be golf cards to provide rides and assistance. The festival has partnered up with the Hilton Garden Inn and Staybridge Suites in Reno for discounted room rates.

There is 24-hour jamming at Washoe Lake State Park Campground. Where anyone is welcome to bring an instrument to play along with others. Since the festival concludes each day at dusk, there will be plenty of time for jamming. New merchandise and a variety of food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and craft vendors will be on hand.

The Bowers Pool will be open as will Bowers Mansion be open for visitors. Kids can enjoy the playground and the Bluegrass Petting Zoo.

Early bird discount festival passes, including VIP passes (with special perks) are on sale until June 30. Members of the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association get 20 percent off all tickets. Single day and discounted student tickets are available online and will be available at the gate (unless the event sells out).

Find the schedules, full lineup and all details online at www.nnb.org/2024bowersbluegrassfestival or email all inquiries to info@nnba.org.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bowers Bluegrass Festival hosted by The Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association

WHEN: Aug. 23-25

WHERE: 4005 Bowers Mansion Road, New Washoe City

TICKETS, MORE INFO: www.nnba.org/