Things to do

Most folks come to the festival for the great performances, workshops, and picking. But we hope you can take some time to enjoy our great town as well.

Shelton has some wonderful restaurants and shops that are worth checking out. It goes without saying that our sponsors help to make this festival possible and that we couldn’t do it without them. You can see a full list of our sponsors here.

Please visit Explore Hood Canal or Shelton Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Click on the sections below to learn more about fun activities happening at the festival. The toughest thing will be choosing between all of them!

New this year – Country dance with Caleb, Reeb Willms, and Friends right after the Saturday night show and leading up to Midnight Hotdogs! Free with your wristband or only $10.00 without. This will be at the Showcase Stage across the plaza from the main auditorium.

Slow Jam

Time: 12 noon Location: Showcase Stage Building (see sign in lobby)

Have you ever tried joining a jam where they played so fast you couldn’t keep up? It can be frustrating and intimidating. Playing music is a process of joyful growth, and we all need time to learn. If you are ...

Banjo Contest

Time: Saturday – 5:00 pm

Hosted by Chuck Holloway Location: Showcase Stage (across plaza from main auditorium)

Winner will play one song on Main Stage at 6:53.

This is always fun and inspiring!

You are not eligible to enter if you’re playing a full, paid set on main stage this year.

There are two categories – ...

Kids Activities

Chick Rose School of Bluegrass

Saturday 10am – 2pm: Intensive workshop led by Stacey Harnew and crew – gather in lobby of main auditorium. Saturday

The Chick Rose School of Bluegrass is a very special program for kids who want to play bluegrass music. Founded by Chick Rose, who passed away in 2012, ...

Band Scramble

Band Scramble Details You can sign up for the band scramble in the lobby of the auditorium anytime up until 12:20 am on Saturday. Band assignments will be announced at that time (also in the lobby of the auditorium). Participants have 40 minutes to prepare one song /one tune. Participants will perform their tunes at ...

Mandolin Tasting

Mandolin Tasting Time: 11:00 Saturday Location: band room – hosted by Tom Bekeny of Kathy Kallick Band

A Mandolin Tasting is when you get some very knowledgeable and talented mandolin players in a room with some very nice mandolins. This differs from a mandolin workshop in that the focus in less about playing ...

Open Mic

A whole lot of folks meet up at Bluegrass From the Forest and end up creating wonderful song arrangements. Some even bring their original tunes. How about getting up and sharing them at our Open Mic? It’s so much of fun and there is lots of support from fellow ...

Country Dance

Saturday Night Country Dance

Join us on Saturday night of the festival for a country dance with Caleb Klauder, Reeb Willms and Friends. The dance begins after the main stage performances end on Saturday night. And since you will have burned a few calories, head over to the barbecue pit for ...

Midnight Hotdogs

Midnight on Saturday night – free with festival admission Location – the parking lot behind the big auditorium

What could be better than free hotdogs at midnight at a festival? It’s pretty great. You probably ate like, five or six hours earlier, you still have a good four hours of jamming ...