Hello friends!
Bluegrass Festival in Parsons, WV – Here we are this week in beautiful Parsons, West Virginia, for the 20th Annual Pickin’ In Parsons Bluegrass Festival. The six-day event is held on the grounds of the Five River Campground in downtown Parsons.
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With thousands of bluegrass fans, the campground is full, the pavilion is lined with lawn chairs, the bluegrass groups are hitting the stage, and hands are clappin’!
Traditional bluegrass music (and a touch of contemporary) fills the “hollers” and hills here in the mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia. These bluegrass fans greatly multiply the population of Parsons, WV (the 2020 Census population was 1,319), and they bring a lot of business to the town and surrounding areas.
About the Bluegrass Festival in Parsons, WV
This bluegrass festival in Parsons, WV, is The Best around, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Pickin’ in Parsons won the 2017 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Bluegrass Event of the Year award – a prestigious award that few festivals have been able to achieve.
According to the IBMA website, the “Bluegrass Event of the Year” award “recognizes events (festivals, concerts, and other live performance productions) for their outstanding accomplishment and service to bluegrass music in the field of event production. The longevity of an event (number of years produced) may be a contributing factor for receiving the award, but length of service alone is not an acceptable reason for recognizing an event. Nothing within these criteria prevents an event from winning the award more than once or in consecutive years.”
2017 IBMA Event of the Year
Festival Promoters – John & Joyce Bowers, festival promoters, do an amazing job with getting the groups lined up and the grounds ready for this event. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are nominated and win this award again in the future.
Each morning, events begin with a prayer and the singing of the National Anthem. After that, it’s a day and evening full of music and entertainment by the industry’s best bluegrass pickers and singers.
Don’t worry about rain – the show goes on, rain or shine!
The talent in this festival’s lineup is unmatched!
August 1-5 2023
***CLICK TO GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE***
Or call 304-478-3515
No Joke Jimmy’s
Cup O’ Joe
Rhonda Vincent & Rage
Russell Moore & IIIRD Tyme Out
The Price Sisters
The Seldom Scene
Appalachian Road Show
The Dave Adkins Band
Tina Adair
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Lonesome River Band
Fast Track
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Blue Highway
Darren Nicholson Band
Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys
The Little Roy & Lizzy Show
The Special Consensus
Terry Baucoms Dukes of Drive
Bluegrass Cardinal Tribute Band
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
The Malpass Brothers
Junior Sisk Band
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
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Save this picture to your cell phone to have the schedule handy throughout the festival!
Tuesday
11AM & 3PM The Price Sisters
12PM & 4PM The Special Consensus
1PM & 6PM Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
2PM & 7PM Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
8PM Bluegrass Cardinals Tribute Band
Wednesday
11AM & 3PM Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
12PM & 4PM Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive
1PM & 6PM Lonesome River Band
2PM & 7PM Po’ Ramblin Boys
8PM Appalachian Road Show
Thursday
11AM & 3PM Cup O’ Joe
12PM & 4PM Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
1PM & 6PM Darin & Brooke Aldridge
2PM & 7PM The Malpass Brothers
8 PM Authentic Unlimited
Friday
11AM & 3PM Darrin Nicholson Band
12PM & 4PM Fast Track
1PM & 6PM Junior Sisk Band
2PM & 7PM Blue Highway
8PM No Joke Jimmy’s
Saturday
11AM & 3PM Little Roy & Lizzy
12PM & 4PM Dave Adkins Band
1PM & 6PM Tina Adair
2PM & 7PM Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
8PM The Seldom Scene
Camping
Campfires and jamming are always welcome.
Fees listed here are in addition to event tickets. Upon arrival to camp, you must have a ticket for the remainder of the festival.
In Advance | At the gate… |
$85 Full Festival Pass $75 Three Day (Thur, Fr, Sat) $40 Any Single Day $30 Evening Pass (after 5 P.M.) Kids 12 or Under : Free with ticketed adult | $105 Full Festival Pass $90 Three Day (Thur, Fr, Sat) $45 Any Single Day $30 Evening Pass (after 5 P.M.) Kids 12 or Under : Free with ticketed adult |
For more information, visit the Pickin’ In Parsons website at: Pickin’ in Parsons Bluegrass Festival – FIVE RIVER CAMP GROUND
Food/Craft Vendors
With a wide array of food and craft vendors, the smells of home cookin’, gourmet hot dogs, BBQ, ice cream, funnel cakes, and kettle corn will tempt your taste buds. The vendors’ prices are negotiated by John and Joyce, so you won’t break the pocketbook when you choose to eat on-site.
Crafters and merchandise vendors come from all around to set up at the festival. John and Joyce are always looking for new vendors to add to the event. If you have something you’d like to showcase, give them a call and see about attending next year’s event.
Venturing into town, you’ll find the tasty CJ’s Pizzeria Restaurant. That’s one of the spots Ernie and I don’t miss when we are here for the festival. For instance, the menu is full of of pastas, wings, hoagies, salads, and pizza. All deliciously homemade!
Another one of our favorites is “The Dugout”. They serve a menu of sandwiches, salads, and ice cream.
For quick and easy meals at your campsite, bring along a Blackstone Grill or get some firewood from the campground store.
You will also want to be sure to pick up a souvenir event t-shirt, hat, coffee cup, and other goodies in the Five River Trading Post event store.
Parking, Shuttles & Seating
Parking at the event is free. Handicap parking is also available near the event pavilion.
There are free shuttles Tuesday through Saturday from areas around Tucker County, such as the towns of Thomas, Davis & Canaan Valley.
Bring your own lawn chair for covered seating under the event pavilion. Chairs can be set up after 8 am on Tuesday morning. Get in line early in order to have a chance at getting your preferred spot.
Five River Camp Ground
Five River Camp Ground has 138 full service RV/Camper sites with lots of tent sites and field camping for RVs and Campers during the festival. The campground facilities include a centrally located bath house with unlimited hot showers, modern restrooms, a laundromat, and two dumping stations. Campsite pedestals are 30/50 amp service.
The campground is open year-round; however, the bath house is only available from April 1st through October 31 annually.
Check to see if campsites for the festival are still available, or to reserve your spot for next year by calling 304-478-3515.
Amenities Include: City Water, City Sewage, 30/50 Amp electric, cable TV, and Wifi.
Tent camping is also available.
Pets are permitted.
Area Points of Interest and Things to Do Near Parsons, WV
Tucker County is home to some of the most scenic views in West Virginia. The rivers and mountains come together to create a vista that will not disappoint. Blackwater Falls is a must-see while you’re in the county.
This area of West Virginia is also known for its curvy mountain roads, which are a dream for motorcyclists. In fact, many of the bluegrass fans come early and bring their bikes to enjoy a few rides before and after the music starts.
There are also some really nice bicycle trails in the area. One of the local favorites is the Allegheny Highlands Trail, part of the West Virginia Rails to Trails program.
The bluegrass festival in Parsons, WV, ends on Sunday with a “Hillbilly Bluegrass Cruise”. The “cruise” is a kayak adventure on one of the local rivers.
Check out more ideas for things to do here: http://www.fiverivercampground.com/things-to-do.html
2024 Bluegrass Festival in Parsons, WV
The 2024 Pickin’ in Parsons Bluegrass Festival will be held July 30-August 3, 2024. Be sure to check out the website and order your tickets online.
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