Join us for the 9th Annual Midwinter Celebration
Friday, December 29th, 2023 6:00 PM 9:00 PM at Shelton High School Performing Arts Center 3737 North Shelton Springs Road Shelton, WA, 98584 United States (Click here to see Google map)
Our 2023 band lineup features 3 bands: our host band Runaway Train Bluegrass Band, along with the Union City Council, and The Ranks Strangers. Tickets are $20 and available online or at the door. Kids 15 and under get in free! Refreshments are provided by donation.
This event is hosted by the Kristmas Town Kiwanis.
Featured Bands
Runaway Train, based in the South Puget Sound area, came to be in the year 2000 and has evolved throughout the years. They’ve performed through the Northwest for festivals, concerts and private events including all of the major area bluegrass festivals. They have a traditional sound but are not afraid to push the limits. They are host band for Shelton’s Bluegrass from the Forest.
Greg Linder – guitar, Kent Powell – bass, John White – mandolin, Doug Wenzen – banjo and special guest River Scheuerell on fiddle.
The Rank Strangers
The band is named after the song “Rank Stranger,” which was recorded by Ralph Stanley in the southern gospel tradition. The oldtime meaning of rank stranger meant someone who was a complete stranger. In this tradition, our Rank Strangers band members are made up from a group of eighteen people from the Puget Sound area to form a five piece band. The members play in other popular regional bands and a different mix of five plays every Wednesday at the Pig Bar in Olympia. We’re honored to have these five pickers at our Midwinter event. Barb Collins – fiddle, John Pyles – bass, Tye Menser – banjo, Leif Halverson – guitar, Jim Bluhm – mandolin
Union City Council Bluegrass Band
Union City Council Bluegrass Band
Based in Union,Wa area of Hood Canal, this band was recently created out of their love of traditional bluegrass and is sure to delight all!
Guy Demartino – guitar
Gwendolyn Taylor – fiddle
Donald Strand – Dobro (resonator guitar)
Martin Strand – bass
Greg Linder – guitar
Please mark your calendars for next year’s summer festival: July 12 – 14, 2024!
The Park is less than three miles from the former location. July is the ideal time in the Northwest to take this festival into the forest! The larger area has more camping & jamming space, additional food and music vendors and a beer and wine garden near the stage. Camping, jamming, workshops, and great bands are hallmarks of this annual event!
As we get closer to next year’s festival, we’ll update you on the band line-up, workshop schedules, and all the great activities in store.
We are also pleased to have food vendors on site.
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Alan Bibey and Grasstowne
The Kathy Kallick Band
Heartbreak Pass
Farmstrong
The SteelHead Bluegrass Band
The Rusty Hinges
Host band Runaway Train
Bar K Buckaroos – Saturday country dance.
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Dry camping for RVs and tents will be available beginning Thursday evening (before the festival). Local hotels and B&Bs are also available. Many people enjoy getting a head start on the pickin’ and grinnin’ that starts up the evening before the festival begins.
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The Chick Rose School of Bluegrass is a special program for kids. Children are divided into small groups according to their musical ability and are coached by advanced musicians. It begins on Saturday morning at 10am and goes until noon.
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Friday July 7th 6pm to 8pm Chef Xinh Dwelley is cooking dinner! Come enjoy her famous chicken curry, Manila clams sautéed with lemongrass, Tahini salad, along with fresh bread & dessert $35
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There is a lot going on at the Bluegrass From the Forest festival. In addition to band performances, the festival offers a host of activities, including Master Workshops, Band Scramble Showcase (anyone can participate), Chick Rose’s Youth School of Bluegrass, Mandolin Tasting, Slow Jam, vendors and much more. There will be all night jamming in the campground (midnight hot dogs included). One thing’s for sure, there is plenty to keep you occupied at any time throughout the weekend! Visit our Things To Do page to see a full list of activities.
We’re looking for businesses and philanthropists who want to sponsor our festival! It will pay some of our many expenses and also help keep our ticket price very reasonable. Please contact Duane Wilson at duanelwilson@gmail.com and he’ll give you the specifics.
Want to volunteer at the festival? Please contact John Pyles details (360) 509-1071
Get In Touch
Booking information, contest entry and rules, scheduling etc. contact:
Greg Linder – festival coordinator
Phone: (360) 898-4581
E-mail: runawaytrainbluegrassband@hotmail.com
Business questions, vendor inquiries, lodging, etc.
Duane Wilson – Kristmas Town Kiwanis
phone: (360) 426-1782
Volunteer inquiries: John Pyles (360) 509-1071