Article Contributed by McGuckin Entertainment PR
Published on 2026-04-08
The California Bluegrass Association has announced the artists selected to appear on the esteemed Vern’s Stage during the 51st annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, taking place June 18–21 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California. Named for Vern Williams, who helped introduce bluegrass music to the West Coast, Vern’s Stage is dedicated to the hardworking performers keeping bluegrass and old-time music alive in clubs, dance halls, small venues, and communities throughout the region. Chosen through video auditions, the following artists will perform on Vern’s Stage Thursday through Saturday afternoon:
Alan Bond & Skedaddle
Cantara Loop
The Crooked Jades
Evie Ladin Band
The Far Out Johnnies
Frog Face
Grass Valley Stringband
Honey Buckets
Lilies of the West
Long Forgotten
Mission Blue
The New Acoustic Collective
Redwood Flat
The Rounder Circle
Significant Otter
Silver City
The Stoney Mountain Ramblers
Representing the full spectrum of traditional bluegrass, old-time music, and newgrass, these performers join an already packed festival lineup led by a rare reunion of the Bluegrass Cardinals, along with performances by Sam Grisman Project, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Missy Raines & Allegheny, California Bluegrass Reunion, Bruce Molsky & Darol Anger, The Price Sisters, Caleb & Reeb and the Cali Cutups, Hard Drive, Broken Compass Bluegrass, The Jimmy Touzel Bluegrass Explosion, Deep Thicket Dwellers, Sweet Sally, Bay Area Special, and Critical Crass.
The festival opens Thursday, June 18, with a special Juneteenth presentation from the Black Banjo Project on Friday, June 19. The Black Banjo Project is a collective dedicated to reclaiming and celebrating the banjo’s African heritage through performance, education, and community. Their talk, “Exploring Banjo Reclamation as a Pathway to Black Liberation,” and showcase performance commemorating Juneteenth will feature artist and musician Hannah Mayree, second-generation African-American percussionist and singer Kele Nitoto, Liberian-American banjoist, choreographer and educator Tula B. Strong, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Deidra Hall, and Chicago-based fiddle player and singer-songwriter Anne Harris.
Additional special events throughout the weekend include:
Friday and Saturday evening square dances in the Whitney Pavilion
The annual Father’s Day Fair on Sunday morning, featuring many fun family and kids activities
Free workshops, late-night jamming, the pre-festival music camp, and family activities throughout the weekend
Sunday morning gospel jam and worship service
This year’s Artist in Residence is Scott Gates, who will sit in with headliner bands as a guest artist on stage, lead workshops, and share his deep knowledge of bluegrass and traditional music throughout the festival. Described as a remarkable, fun-loving musician, Scott Gates is yet another dazzlingly talented product of the California bluegrass youth movement. He has been playing mandolin, guitar, and singing hard-core bluegrass since he was 10 years old, bringing energy and musicianship to every performance. Scott has built a large fan base as part of the Get Down Boys, Jeff Scroggins and the Scroggdogs, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit.
Billed as “the best jamming west of the Rockies,” the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival is renowned as a place where lifelong friendships, musical collaborations, and unforgettable memories are created through a shared love of bluegrass music.
That spirit begins with the festival’s extensive youth programming, including the CBA Youth Academy for beginner and intermediate musicians ages 8–16, the KidFest activity area, and Kids on Bluegrass, an audition-based training program that culminates in a main stage performance.
Single-day tickets range from $25–$85. Four-day passes are priced at $70 for ages 13–17, $240 for adults through age 64, and $225 for adults 65 and older. New “Pinetree Partner” passes are also available and include preferred seating, parking, access to an exclusive hospitality lounge, and additional perks. Advance ticket prices increase May 1.
Children 12 and under are admitted free, and California Bluegrass Association members receive ticket discounts. Tent, camper-van, and tent-trailer camping without hookups, along with parking for one vehicle, are included with full festival passes. RV hookups are available on a limited basis.
For tickets, schedules, and additional information, visit fathersdayfestival.com.
Founded in 1976, the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival has become one of the West Coast’s most beloved annual roots music gatherings. Each year, generations of fans return to the nearly 90-acre Nevada County Fairgrounds in the Sierra Nevada foothills to enjoy world-class performances, camping, workshops, square dancing, food and craft vendors, family activities, and music under the pines.
About California Bluegrass Association
The nonprofit California Bluegrass Association, founded in 1975, encourages, fosters, and cultivates the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, support, and performance of bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and traditional instrumental and vocal music of the United States. The organization and festival are operated by volunteers dedicated to presenting premier acoustic music in a community-based, family-friendly setting. For more information, visit californiabluegrass.org.
For festival details and to purchase tickets, visit fathersdayfestival.com. Nevada County Fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, Calif. 95949.
