Article Contributed by Dreamspider Publicity
Published on 2026-08-06
The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival has added Cris Jacobs as a special Sunday guest for its 2026 edition, returning to Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20.
“Baygrass is one of those festivals that just gets it right,” Jacobs says. “It’s a beautiful place, great people, and always amazing musicians. I’m really looking forward to being a part of it again.”
Now in its fourth year, the beachfront festival will feature Little Feat, Yonder Mountain String Band, Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, Sam Bush, Mountain Grass Unit, TopHouse, Shadowgrass, Scythian, Sister Sadie, Fireside Collective, Midnight North, Jammy Buffet, Melody Trucks & The Fitzkee Brothers Band, Geraldine, and artists-at-large Allie Kral, Alvin Lee, and Patrick Rainey.
Performances will take place on two alternating beachside stages throughout the weekend. Fans can also expect appearances from the artists-at-large, who will sit in with performers and help create one-of-a-kind collaborative moments.
Baygrass will offer a full weekend of activities beyond the music, including interactive workshops, educational programming, beach yoga, yard and tabletop games, an artisan village, and a KidZone.
The festival will also feature a waterfront beer garden with local microbrews, a VIP experience, fresh Chesapeake seafood, gourmet barbecue, and vegan and vegetarian food options.
A Ballad for the Bay and Annapolis Baygrass Workshops
Baygrass artists and nonprofit partners will host interactive workshops and exhibits throughout the weekend at the Workshop Pavilion and Bay Guardian Village, with programming focused on music, Chesapeake Bay conservation, and mental wellness.
From Bay to Ballad: The Story, Songwriting, and Live Performance of “The Secrets That She Keeps”
Hosted by Watershed Stewards Academy, the workshop will feature songwriter Benny “Burle” Galloway, Dave Johnston of Yonder Mountain String Band, artist-at-large Allie Kral, Cory Chubb of Geraldine, and additional musicians.
Written by Galloway in honor of the Chesapeake Bay, “The Secrets That She Keeps” traces the history of the watershed from a single drop of glacial melt to the vibrant estuary known today.
During the Talk & Tunes session, Galloway and participating musicians will take attendees behind the scenes of the songwriting process, beginning with the song’s basic structure and arrangement. Each musician will then contribute to the piece before presenting it live for the first time on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
Watershed Stewards Academy will also share ways attendees can support the Watershed Movement and become part of ongoing conservation efforts.
Mental Health Matters: A Conversation With Cris Jacobs and Guest
Hosted by John Way, founder of The VA Way, this workshop will feature an open discussion about adversity, purpose, resilience, self-care, creativity, and the healing power of music.
Drawing from his own experiences with depression and recovery, Jacobs has become an advocate for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
The workshop is designed for musicians, veterans, caregivers, and anyone navigating life’s challenges, with an emphasis on the idea that asking for help is a sign of strength.
From Tradition to Tomorrow: Bluegrass at 80
Author Tim Newby and Rolling Stone writer Garret K. Woodward will host this Talk & Tunes session, with special musical guests to be announced.
The panel will examine bluegrass music’s development from Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys’ Grand Ole Opry debut in December 1945 through the genre’s modern evolution.
Participants will explore Maryland’s role in bluegrass history, the genre’s continuing growth, and the ways artists such as Billy Strings have helped bring the music to new audiences and larger venues.
Surf and Turf: A Chesapeake Bay Watershed Story
Hosted by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, this session will explore the connection between the Shenandoah Valley and the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia farmers Bobby Whitescarver and Jeanne Hoffman will discuss how rural and coastal communities can work together toward cleaner air, cleaner water, and a more sustainable future.
Attendees will receive educational resources, including the recipe featured in the Alliance’s film Surf and Turf.
Learn to Shuck Like a Pro at Baygrass
The Oyster Recovery Partnership will bring back its popular hands-on oyster-shucking workshop, with toppings provided by Ashling Kitchen.
Participants will learn safe and effective shucking techniques while discovering the important role oysters play in Chesapeake Bay restoration.
The Oyster Recovery Partnership has planted more than 13 billion oysters in the Bay. Guests will also learn how recycling oyster shells can help support continued restoration efforts.
Participants will be able to eat the oysters they shuck while gaining a new skill and supporting the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival
September 19–20, 2026
Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis, Maryland
