Hundreds attend Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival in the park
The Blue Waters Tribute Series, Roots of Bluegrass, was narrated by Blue Waters Music Director, Kevin Brown.
New Dangerfield plays out a traditional bluegrass song during the Roots of Bluegrass session, Saturday evening, at the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. They are a Black string band, which is reviving the long overlooked tradition of Black string bands. The band consist of an award-winning banjoist Tray Willington, bassist Nelson Williams, multi-instrumentalist Kaia Kater and fiddler Jake Blount. On the left is Kater and Blount.
The Spokane band, Dry and Dusty took the stage as they added their history to the Roots of Bluegrass Tribute on Saturday evening at Medical Lake's annual Bluegrass festival. They are an old-time sister duo, Ruthie and Sally Jablonsky along with guitarist Ben Feldman.
Matt Flinner of the bluegrass band, Rock Ridge plays his fiddle during a performance at Medical Lake's Bluegrass festival Saturday night. Flinner is known for his skill on the fiddle and contributions to the genre.
MEDICAL LAKE – Last weekend, Waterfront Park hosted a gathering of bluegrass enthusiasts who traveled from near and far to enjoy performances by eight bluegrass bands from across the country at the Blue Waters Annual Bluegrass Festival.
The festival brought a wealth of surprises, with a bustling crowd of campers and attendees soaking in hours of bluegrass music throughout the weekend.
Notable bands that traveled long distances included New Dangerfield with their distinctive black strings tradition, Full Chord, the Jacob Joliff Band, and Rock Ridge. Local favorites such as True North Duo, Floating Crowbar, Dry & Dusty, and Monroe Bridge also contributed to the diverse lineup.
Each band showcased their unique bluegrass style while paying homage to traditional songs, particularly through the Blue Waters Tribute series, Roots of Bluegrass. Festival President Nick Burgis emphasized the special nature of this year's event, stating, "This is a one-time-only experience that will never be repeated here."
Burgis was referring to a special tribute performance where all participating bands came together to honor the pioneers of bluegrass music.
Music Director Kevin Brown provided insightful commentary on the history and evolution of bluegrass, sharing personal anecdotes and detailing the challenges faced by early performers. His stories were brought to life as bands performed songs that illustrated the genre's rich history.
Meanwhile, outside the main arena, the festival atmosphere continued with a bustling farmers market and various other activities, all set against the backdrop of continuous bluegrass jams.
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