Both local acts and international touring bands perform at the Kentucky Bluegrass Festival each year. Past performers include Pine Mountain Railroad (gospel-influenced bluegrass from Tennessee), Corn Island (bluegrass and folk quartet from Louisville), Hog Operation (contemporary bluegrass from Louisville) and Kati Penn (virtuosic fiddle player from Lexington). The 2010 Kentucky Bluegrass Festival features bands like The Hillbenders, Relic, Brand New Strings and Cast Iron Airplane.
The Kentucky Bluegrass Festival is held in Louisville's Waterfront Park along the Ohio River. The park features Louisville's famous water tower, the world's first ornamental water tower considered a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The park is located at the corner of River Road and Zorn Avenue. This location offers a beautiful setting to celebrate Kentucky's musical heritage.
The Kentucky Bluegrass Festival usually takes place the first weekend in September. The first performers go on around 5 p.m. on Friday and the last performance starts on Sunday around 9:30 p.m. The festival closes down by midnight the final day. There are usually four or five performances per day, each of which generally lasts for between one and two hours.
Past and current sponsors of the Kentucky Bluegrass Festival include Budweiser, FOX 41 WDRB, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville.com, 84 WHAS, Woodford Reserve, and The 'Ville Voice. The 2010 festival is presented by Bisig Impact Group.
There are couple things you should keep in mind if you plan to attend the festival. First, be aware that food, drink and pets are not permitted in the festival grounds, though lawn chairs and blankets are allowed. Children under 10 years old get in free at all times. The event offers free parking.