South Grenville Bluegrass Festival coming soon
It’s time to get out your dancing shoes because the 2024 South Grenville Bluegrass Festival is taking over Spencerville Fair Grounds from August 8-11, 2024!
Brockvilleist spoke with Kim Wallace, a bluegrass musician and Coordinator of the South Grenville Bluegrass Festival to hear a little more about what guests have in store.
Wallace is a rhythm guitar player from Spencerville who was one of the originators of her band County Road 4, who have been playing together for over 12 years.
She explained, “I’ve always wanted to start a bluegrass festival and eventually, the dream came true. In nine years, the South Grenville Bluegrass Festival has become one of the best festivals in Ontario!”
The South Grenville Bluegrass Festival started in 2014 and has continued to grow in its popularity. Wallace shared, “I started by inviting a few friends to a meeting and discussing my dream. I also spoke to Mr. Bob Johnson who ran the Renfrew bluegrass festival for over 30 years and he was a great mentor. He told me ‘If you can hire your first U.S. band in five years you have it made.’ Much to our surprise we were able to hire our first U.S. band in year three!”
Last year’s festival was their biggest success to date. Wallace shared, “In 2023, we had well over 200 campers and motor homes coming from as far away as Northern Ontario or Western Quebec. And even as far south as Indiana and Florida.”
Wallace says that her main goal for 2024 is simply to grow the festival. She says, “Provided 2024 is a huge success our plan is to make 2025 better. With missing two years from the pandemic, 2025 will be our 10 year anniversary!”
For those who want to stay for the entire weekend, full weekend passes are available for $100.00, if purchased before July 13, and $120.00 if purchased at the gate. Children under 16 can enter the festival for free when accompanied by an adult.
The Spencerville Fair Grounds offers a large campground. Contact Bernie Coville at coville_guitars@yahoo.ca for more information on camping possibilities.
Day passes are available for purchase at the gate and pricing is as follows:
Thursday, August 8th: $25.00
Friday, August 9th: $35.00
Saturday, August 10th: $50.00 and $25.00 after 6 pm
Sunday, August 11th: $20.00
Here is the lineup of talent for the weekend:
- Carson Peters and Iron Mountain
- Freddy Vetter and the Plowboys (Playing on Thursday, August 8th only)
- Simply Blu
- Country Road 44
- Denny Paisley and Southern Grass
- Concession 23
- Maple Hill
- Grass Under Fire
- Country Gentlemen Tribute Band
- The Fiddlaires
- Tyle Comeau and Highway 10
There will be a variety of vendors on site selling food, jewelry, local goods and more. The event will also feature a euchre tournament and scavenger hunt and the winners of both competitions will receive tickets for the 2025 festival.
Tickets are available at www.southgrenvillebluegrassfestival.ca or via e-transfer at salesgbf2012@gmail.com
For other inquiries, email Kim Wallace at bluegrass_jam@hotmail.com.