Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival returns June 20–22 in Cashmere

CASHMERE – The Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival will return to the Chelan County Expo Center in Cashmere June 20–22, bringing nationally recognized bluegrass artists and a weekend full of music, workshops, and community gathering.

Now in its 22nd year, the annual festival continues to grow, drawing performers and fans from across the country. The campground will open at noon on Monday, June 16, with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping costs $25 per night.

Wristbands are $30 for a day pass and $45 for a multi-day pass, June 16-22. Wristbands grant access to all performances, workshops, and campground jam sessions, a hallmark of the event, according to festival executive director Marie Vecchio.

“Probably about 90% of those folks (camping) are all musicians,” Vecchio said. “Every night and every day, they play music at their camp and it’s like one family. Everyone hasn’t seen each other all year and they converge on their campspot and they all just start playing music, tossing songs around. They’re jamming. They’re having a great time playing bluegrass.”

The festivities begin Thursday, June 19, with a Hawaiian-themed meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. for campers.

Main stage shows begin Friday at 4 p.m. in the pavilion, an indoor venue that offers protection from the weather. Food and merchandise vendors will open Friday and remain throughout the weekend.

Saturday kicks off with workshops for both youth and adults. Taylor’s Camp, a popular bluegrass workshop for kids, starts in the morning, followed by adult instrument workshops at 11 a.m. led by main stage performers. Instruction includes fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, vocals, bass, and songwriting.

Saturday afternoon features performances on the outdoor stage from Taylor’s Camp participants, followed by sets from The Campground Boys and The Welter Brothers. Main stage performances will resume around 4 p.m.

This year’s festival lineup includes Missy Raines and Allegheny, The Slocan Ramblers, John Reischman and Friends, Downriver Collective, and The Bluegrass Regulators.

Missy Raines is a GRAMMY®-nominated bassist, a singer, songwriter, and bandleader. She has performed on the Grand Ole Opry with her band Allegheny. Several members of Allegheny have personal ties to the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, having grown up performing at the event.

The Slocan Ramblers, a top Canadian bluegrass band, are known for their bold, energetic sound and standout live performances. Featured on the Grand Ole Opry and winners of the 2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year, they’ve built a strong following across major festivals like Merlefest and RockyGrass.

Grammy-winning mandolinist John Reischman is a leading figure in bluegrass and roots music, known for his work with the Tony Rice Unit and his mastery of diverse styles. Since the 1980s, he’s earned global recognition for his exceptional tone, taste, and musicality.

“He is probably one of the best mandolin players ever,” she said. “He's just a wonderful person to be around. He just makes you smile, you know, you see him at festivals, and he always remembers your name.”

Downriver Collective is an award-winning modern bluegrass band from Nashville, blending traditional bluegrass, folk, and country with Americana, rock, and pop influences.

The Bluegrass Regulators, formed in 2009 in Portland, Oregon, are a youth-founded band featuring siblings Luke and Jake Dewhirst and Molly and Josh Adkins. Banjo prodigy Luke won the 2009 RockyGrass banjo competition at age 17. The group released a self-titled album in 2010 and showcased at IBMA in 2011.

“We're going to welcome our Bluegrass Regulators back now these kids, which I still call kids, because when they were kids, they would be running around our festival, taking part in Taylor's camp,” she said. “And then they became instructors at Taylor's camp. And then they have grown up, and it's just been wonderful watching these kids grow up.”

The festival will conclude with a Sunday morning gospel show featuring The Slocan Ramblers and the Downriver Collective.

Founded in 2003, the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival has built a reputation as a family-friendly, music-filled gathering that celebrates the tradition and evolution of bluegrass.

For more information, visit wenatcheeriverbluegrass.com.