Join us for the Lakeside Bluegrass Festival, a two-day summer celebration from Aug. 8-9 in Lakeside, Ohio. This exciting festival brings together nationally recognized bluegrass artists, family-friendly activities and unforgettable music.
SUNDAY CLOSING CONCERT:
THE SPECIAL CONSENSUS
6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9
South Auditorium (540 Central Ave.)
Celebrated bluegrass band The Special Consensus brings decades of award-winning musicianship to the stage of the South Auditorium for an epic closing to the Bluegrass Festival.
Led by founder Greg Cahill, a recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and member of the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Hall of Greats, the band has earned seven IBMA awards and two Grammy nominations.
The ensemble’s lineup — Cahill on banjo, Greg Blake on guitar (2023 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year), Dan Eubanks on bass and Brian McCarty on mandolin — delivers tight, authentic bluegrass with skill and passion.
Their 2018 album Rivers and Roads was nominated for a Grammy and named IBMA Album of the Year, with the track “Squirrel Hunters” earning Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year.
The band marked its 45th Anniversary in 2020 with Chicago Barn Dance, whose title track won the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year Award.
The Special Consensus continues to innovate while honoring tradition. Their 2023 release, Great Blue North, features the Gordon Lightfoot classic “Alberta Bound,” which received the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year Award and the 2024 Music Video of the Year.
With a legacy of excellence and a passion for bluegrass, The Special Consensus remains a defining voice in the genre.
SATURDAY HEADLINE CONCERT:
THE DEL MCCOURY BAND WITH THE TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS
7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8
Hoover Auditorium (115 W. Third Street)
Doors open at 7 p.m.
A true legend of American music headlines Lakeside’s 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival.
Few names in bluegrass carry the weight and reverence of Del McCoury. From humble beginnings in York County, Pennsylvania, to the iconic stages of the Grand Ole Opry, McCoury has been a defining force in the genre for nearly eight decades.
Along the way, he has captivated audiences on primetime and late-night television, sold-out concerts and music festivals of every size and style, earning admiration from country-rock icon Steve Earle to jam band legends Phish.
McCoury’s journey began as a teenager, inspired by the banjo virtuosity of Earl Scruggs. By 1963, he joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, where the "Father of Bluegrass" transformed him from banjo player to lead guitarist and singer, providing him with a lifetime of musical insight and mentorship.
Today, leading The Del McCoury Band alongside his sons Ronnie and Rob, he remains a peerless torchbearer of bluegrass, blending decades of tradition with a willingness to embrace new sounds and connect with a new generation of fans. With unmatched musicianship, storytelling and heart, McCoury delivers an evening of bluegrass that is as timeless as it is inspiring.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE HEADLINE CONCERT
4-6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8
Tents on Third Street near Hoover Auditorium (115 W. Third St.)
In the case of inclement weather, all Family Activities will be held in the Hoover Auditorium lobby.
Before you take in the iconic music of The Del McCoury Band with The Travelin’ McCourys, enjoy family activities that celebrate bluegrass.
Children of all ages can make CD banjos, paddle drums, popsicle-stick harmonicas and alligator castanets. There’s no cost to participate, and registration is not required.
Meet the Instruments
Families are welcome to visit the tent on Third Street to learn more about the instruments and the sounds of bluegrass.
Roaming Musicians
Northeast Ohio-based musicians will roam the streets of Lakeside playing tunes, engaging Lakesiders, and leading singalongs and jam sessions for those that want to bring their instruments.
Community Square Dance (4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Join us for an intergenerational Community Square Dance, organized by Lakesider Char Wilkerson. Dancing is recommended for ages 10+; experience isn’t necessary but encouraged. See the Rhein Center class schedule for opportunities throughout the summer to learn how to square dance. ADMISSION & PARKING
Admission and parking fees include admittance to the Lakeside grounds, as well as access to evening entertainment in Hoover Auditorium, the bandstand show, the pool, wellness center, and a variety of religious, educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.
Parking within the gates of Lakeside is limited. Festival attendees are encouraged to park in the Danbury School Parking Lot or South Gate Parking Lot. A shuttle is provided from the South Gate Parking Lot.
BUY ADMISSION & PARKING!STAY OVERNIGHT
Book a weekend getaway! Lakeside offers rooms at Hotel Lakeside and the Fountain Inn. Both hotels are located within walking distance of Hoover Auditorium for the concert.
RESERVE ONLINE or call (419) 798-4461, ext. 230.
