The Long Island Bluegrass Festival, produced by the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and the Bluegrass Club of Long Island, makes its way to Tanner Park (in Copiague) this Saturday for it’s 13th year. I had the opportunity to sit down for the final pre-festival dinner/meeting with the team that makes this celebrated event happen each year. I ate delicious, home-cooked food as they fine-tuned Saturday’s operations and festivities, and each dedicated member contributed their role and thoughts. There was even live bluegrass playing in the background as two members of the group picked up their guitar and mandolin, and added to the charm that is this bluegrass clan and the festival they build and love year after year.
Tickets are $15 online (only until 5/14!) and $20 at the gates. The festival officially starts at noon, but be sure to arrive early to catch the day’s youngest act — The Long Island Fiddle Kids. The event features 7 hours of continuous music on two stages, and also includes children’s activities, raffles, food, vendors, picking workshops with the artists themselves and a view of Long Island’s Great South Bay.
Stay tuned next week for our review and interviews with the artist themselves. Until then, get to know the musicians below and we’ll see you on Saturday!
Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys
Maria Fairchild & George Cannova
Martha Trachtenberg & Tom Griffith
and
Tamchin Brothers