John Hartford Memorial Festival is a testament to not only the legend himself, but to the genre and thriving music that was born and inspired by he & his ensemble of fellow bluegrass roots Americana musicians.  There has been no beat skipped since his passing in 2001 and this festival’s continued growth further verifies that truth.

After taking the scenic route in the old CJ-7 through the Blue Ridge Parkway, driving through yet another torrential downpour from the Purple Rain, and a glorious lightning storm the likes of which we have yet to see this year, we arrived at Pop’s Farm. Rooster Walk 8 had just begun. We arrive slightly damp yet super amped to be back with the Farm in the woods, jamming to the bluegrass vibrations in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There is a small unincorporated lil “town” called Hoxeyville in the northern Michigan mitten and once a year the population exponentially grows when they open the gates to one of my all time favorite fests.  The drive north winds through quick moving clouds and green rolling fields that inspire but not quite as much as the dashing downbeat and the humbling hugs that abound at Hoxeyville.