Darrington Bluegrass Festival FAQs
PERFORMERS/BANDS
Who are this year’s performers/bands?
This year’s performers are posted on our website at https://www.darringtonbluegrass.com/
Is there a way for me to recommend future performers?
Sure! Add their name to the paper at the T-shirt booth, or send an email to info@darringtonbluegrass.com with your suggestion. Include a little info about the band and why you think they would be good to include at our festival. Regional/local bands too.
When are next year’s performers announced?
The headliners for 2025 will be announced in our 2024 festival program.
DATES
When is the festival?
The festival is always the third FULL weekend of July (including Friday.)
When does the campground open?
The campground opens at noon on the Saturday a week before the festival weekend.
When do the music performances happen?
The music begins late Friday afternoon and there are performances all day on Saturday. The last performance ends at 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon.
When is the schedule announced?
The schedule is usually published on our website a month before the festival.
TICKETS
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased online or in person during the festival. There is an EARLY BIRD discount if tickets are purchased online before July 1st. Tickets at the festival can be purchased with a credit card, debit card or cash. Ticket link: https://www.darringtonbluegrass.com/tickets
How much do tickets cost?
The best deal is an early bird weekend pass for $75. This gets you into the festival grounds three days in a row for all the music performances. This does not include camping.
Are there senior discounts?
There are not senior discounts for our festival, sorry.
Are there youth discounts?
Yes, youth tickets are about half the regular price and are for those age 13-16.
What about babies and younger kids?
Kids 12 and under are FREE! Bring your family with you!
What is your refund policy?
We do not give refunds unless there are extreme circumstances. Each of these is considered individually. Our preference is always to shift the purchase to the following year, if possible.
LOCATION/PARKING
Where is this festival located?
The bluegrass festival is held at Darrington Bluegrass Music Park, 3 miles west of Darrington, Washington. It is approximately 35 minutes east of I-5, a beautiful drive through the Stillaguamish Valley. The drive time from downtown Seattle to the Music Park is an hour and a half, if done during light weekend traffic. Come hear great music and see beautiful scenery!
How much does it cost to park?
Parking is free and the lot is huge. You will have no problem finding a place to park.
Is there ADA parking available?
We do not have specified ADA spots, but we have volunteers driving golf carts to help visitors who need assistance get safely and easily from the parking lot to the seating areas. We can also open our gate and allow ADA vehicles down to the amphitheater area to let out ADA passengers close to the seating area.
WORKSHOPS/JAMMING
Are there any workshops?
Yes, we have workshops for most bluegrass instruments. Information is in our printed program.
Are there any organized jams?
Not at this point, though we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to lead a slow/beginners’ jam.
Can anyone jam in the campground?
Absolutely! Carry your instrument around and be courageous; ask to participate in a group that seems to be playing at your level. If you don’t find a group, start one by setting your chair out and playing your instrument near your campsite!
What other events happen during the festival?
There is always a “band scramble” where interested players put their name in a jar for their instrument and then bands are assembled by drawing these names. The bands are given a day to choose and practice a couple of songs to perform at the festival on Sunday morning. We always have a church service on Sunday morning. In 2024 we have two different open mic times, Saturday and Sunday mornings. See this year’s schedule for details.
CAMPING
When does the campground open and close?
The campground opens at noon on the Saturday BEFORE the music weekend. This is six days before the first performance. Some folks arrive early to camp and make music together during this time. The campground closes at noon on the Monday after the festival.
Can I choose my campsite ahead of time?
The campground is first come, first served. That is another reason to arrive early if possible. There is an overflow camping area, so you are assured a spot to camp at the festival.
How much does it cost to camp?
A weekend camping permit (Fri, Sat, Sun nights) costs $75 for RVs w/ one additional vehicle or $50 per car/van/tent. Additional vehicles can be parked on our upper parking lot for no additional charge. Each extra night costs $15. The camping fee is in addition to the cost of tickets to attend the bluegrass performances.
Are there picnic tables and fire rings at the campsites?
No, our campground has lots of beautiful big trees and shade, but no picnic tables or fire rings.
Are generators allowed in the campground?
Yes, though we ask that they be turned off between 10pm and 8am, if not medically necessary.
Are there hookups in the campground?
There are a very few electricity hookups in the campground; there are no sewer hookups. The electrical hookups are taken by the first folks to arrive early Saturday morning the week before.
Are showers available in the campground?
No, we do not currently have showers in our campground.
Are there quiet hours in the campground?
Because this is a music festival and bluegrass fans are especially prone to jamming in small groups til the wee hours, it is unlikely to be quiet in the campground. Consider the bluegrass a type of lullaby! Or bring ear plugs.
Where is the nearest dump station?
There are two dump stations, both located about half an hour from the campground, one to the north in Rockport at HM Steelhead Park and one on I-5 at the Smokey Point Rest Area. There is a third dump station, open sporadically, at Whitehorse Regional Park Campground, 46609 North Mountain Road, just north of Darrington town.
Are there in and out privileges at the campground?
Yes, you can take your rig to a dump station and return, though you’ll want to leave some things in your campsite to save your spot.
VOLUNTEERING
How can I volunteer to help make this festival possible (we are 100% volunteer run)?
We are in the process of setting up the 2024 Volunteer page! Please check back soon for more info!
Can I get a free ticket or free camping if I volunteer enough hours?
Yes! You can earn both a free weekend pass for the music AND a free campsite if you volunteer for three separate 4-hour shifts (12 hours total). One of these three shifts MUST be during performance times on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the music festival.
Do I have to work during the music part of the festival in order to get a free ticket?
Yes, you have to work one 4-hour shift during the performance times of the festival weekend to earn a free ticket.
What if I can’t volunteer for 12 hours?
If you want to volunteer for 4 hours on one of our music festival weekend days, you can attend the rest of that particular day for free. See signup link above for this option.
Are there opportunities to volunteer throughout the year or only at the festival?
You can volunteer for your other 8 hours, or more, during the year at cleanup events that prepare the grounds for the festival. To get a free ticket, you must also volunteer during the music festival weekend (see above.) Our cleanup days are posted on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DarringtonBluegrassFestival
FOOD/COOLERS
Are there vendors of food at the festival?
Yes, we have a full kitchen for our concessions stand and there are additional food vendors providing items such as ice cream, kettle corn and coffee drinks. If you’d like to be a food vendor, please complete this form to apply for 2024: https://forms.gle/AB1x4Nwkq8rUSQ649
Can food be brought onto the festival grounds?
Yes, you are welcome to bring food from home or from the campground.
Can coolers be brought onto the festival grounds?
Yes, you can bring a small cooler with you to the festival seating area.
MERCH/VENDORS
Do you have merchandise from the performers at the festival?
Each performing band decides what to sell. There is a table near the stage where performers go after their set of music, if they choose. They often sell CDs, thumb drives, and various items there, as well as spending time with their fans, doing the bluegrass “shake and howdy” thing!
When does the festival merchandise go on sale and does it ever sell out?
Darrington Bluegrass t-shirts, hats and picnic blankets go on sale starting on Friday and we usually have inventory throughout the weekend.
What other types of vendors usually come to the festival?
Most years we have a few artist vendors who sell hats, t-shirts, jewelry, soap and other items.
How does an artist get selected to be a vendor at your festival?
Vendors are selected by a committee of our Board; please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/4NVLoV2HQr2LtUm37 Vendor applications are accepted until early July.
ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Is alcohol sold at the festival?
No, we have an alcohol-free concert arena area.
Can I bring alcohol in my cooler?
We are focused on providing a family-friendly, music-loving environment for all. So, we request no alcohol in the music festival seating area.
Can alcohol be consumed in the campground?
What you do in your trailer or tent is your business, but please do not disturb your neighbors.
Is smoking allowed at the festival?
Please do not smoke or vape in the concert arena area.
Is cannabis/marijuana allowed at the festival?
We have a drug-free concert arena area.
CHAIRS/UMBRELLAS
Do I have to bring a chair with me if I want to sit down?
If you want to sit up close to the stage you will need to bring a camping or folding chair. It can be regular height. This area has a concrete floor and folks line up chairs in rows for the weekend. There is a large section of concrete amphitheater with many concrete terraces available for seating. You might want to bring a cushion to sit on the concrete, or buy one from our merch building! The view of the stage and echoing sound of the music is terrific from the concrete amphitheater. There is a grassy picnicking area on the lower level to the side of the stage where you can sit on the grass.
Can regular camping chairs be brought to the festival?
Yes, we do not require low-back chairs.
Are umbrellas allowed for rain or sun protection?
Umbrellas block the views of those behind you. If you need to use an umbrella, please sit in the concrete amphitheater where the height of each level would allow those behind you to see.
PETS
Are pets allowed in the campground?
Pets are allowed, always on leash, in the campground. Please pick up after your pet.
Are pets allowed in the amphitheater and music seating area?
No, pets are not allowed in the seating area in front of the stage, including the amphitheater. (there may be an area cordoned off for people with pets in the concrete amphitheater in 2024; still TBD)