Warm & fuzzy feelings: East Troy Bluegrass Festival treats people like family
Expect to see performers of all ages jamming at the East Troy Bluegrass Festival.
“Bluegrass music is not just any music, it is a family,” said East Troy Bluegrass Festival founder/organizer Melissa Sherman.
The East Troy Bluegrass Festival is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15, at Village Square Park in East Troy.
Banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar contests at the East Troy Bluegrass Festival are Sunday, Sept. 15.
Milwaukee-based bluegrass band The MilBillies perform at the 2023 Elkhorn Ribfest at the Walworth County Fairgrounds.
EAST TROY — Dip a toe in the river of bluegrass then take the plunge into a world of music that people have loved for generations.
That is the vision behind what may very well be the longest running traditional bluegrass music festival in Wisconsin.
On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15, the 30th East Troy Bluegrass Festival returns to Village Square Park, 2881 Main St., East Troy.
It’s actually been 31 years since the event began, but the COVID pandemic prompted it to be cancelled one year.
At the festival, people of all ages share their enthusiasm for the distinctive brand of acoustic music.
Founder/organizer Melissa Sherman said it is everything from 5-year-olds playing banjos and fiddles to 90-year-olds teaching those same children a new chord.
“Bluegrass music is not just any music, it is a family,” said Sherman. “It truly is a family. When you come to one of these events, you’re treated like family. You leave with new family members. You leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.”
Sherman’s passion for bluegrass could be felt in every word during a phone call last week. From her cottage in Canada, she discussed the origin of the East Troy Bluegrass Festival.
The dual U.S.-Canadian citizen spends about half the year back home in the East Troy area.
Sherman is more than just an enthusiastic fan of the music. She’s an award-winning bluegrass artist who was involved in the group Hard Ryde.
Growing up in Philadelphia, Sherman played guitar and upright bass.
“Bluegrass was my life,” Sherman said. “It was every day. It was every weekend, a festival. It was every week in the studio, writing tunes and performing them. It was a lifestyle.”
It still is, she said, but to a lesser degree. At one point running seven festivals in Canada, Sherman now runs just the East Troy Bluegrass Festival.
“I’ve slowed down,” she said. “But I at one point had seven festivals up here in Canada.”
Those festivals are behind her now, but she kept the East Troy event running due to her deep connection to the community where she once owned a business and raised three children as a single mom.
At that time, her ability to go to bluegrass jams, festivals and the like “stopped dead because I had to support my children,” she said.
Then, inspiration struck.
“I just pretty much figured, if I can’t go to it, I can bring it here,” said Sherman.
The first East Troy Bluegrass Festival occurred in 1994. It was not easy, she admitted. “The first five years, I paid a lot out of my pocket,” Sherman said. “But I didn’t care.”
It is a different story now. Judging by the response to the festival last year, Sherman came away with a clear indication that the event is something people anticipate eagerly.
“The amount of money we raised showed me that people want this to continue,” she said. “And, for $20 for a full day, 10 bands in a park, it’s kid-friendly, no alcohol — you can’t take a family of five out for under that anymore.”
Event schedule
The 30th East Troy Bluegrass Festival features live music and contests for fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar. LD’s BBQ will also serve pulled pork and other items during the festival.
Playing Sept. 14, are Squirrel Gravy, 11-11:45 a.m.; the Mark Hembree Band, noon-12:45 p.m.; Falkner, Chesney & Hoggatt, 1-1:45 p.m.; band scramble 2-2:45 p.m.; Genesee Ridge 3-3:45 p.m.; and the Grascals 4-5:30 p.m.
On Sept. 15, the Siegmann Family gospel service is 10-10:45 a.m. Contests are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Performing later are Brew City Drifters 1-1:45 p.m.; the reunion of Blue Eagle, 2-2:45 p.m.; the Waddington Brothers 3-3:45 p.m.; and Authentic Unlimited 4-5:30 p.m.
Guests should bring a lawn chair.
If rain, the festival will occur at the East Troy Bible Church, 2660 North St., East Troy.
Admission is $20 per day, or $35 for the weekend.
For more, go to easttroybluegrass.com.
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