The Kansas Bluegrass Association’s 35th Annual Winterfest Bluegrass Festival is February 14 and 15, 2025, at the Wichita Marriott, 9100 Corporate Hills, Wichita, Kans. Performers include Po’ Rambilin’ Boys, Alan Munde & Mason Ridge, The Matchsellers, Little Miss Dynamite, The Cody Sisters, and LandRun.
Our first annual band contest finalists will kick off Friday evening’s shows and will feature 15-minute sets by The Green Parrots, 80 Proof Alice, and Jennylou & the Buckaroos. The winning band wins a cash prize and a spot on Saturday evening’s line-up.
A Welcome Jam kicks off the festival on Thursday evening, hosted by Pretend Friend’s Evan Ogborn. Bluegrass and old-time tunes will be played. All skill-sets welcome. On Friday, a structured slow jam kicks off the day’s activities from 2pm - 4pm. Performances on Friday start at 6:00pm. On Saturday, shows start back up again at noon and go all day and evening, with a dinner break.
Music workshops will be held Saturday morning, including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, songwriting, vocal, and more. The banjo workshop will be led by the legendary Alan Munde. Munde has played and taught music professionally for over 40 years. He is a member of the American Banjo Hall of Fame, a winner of the 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize, and a member of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Hall of Fame.
Saturday activities for children will be led by Erin Mae Lewis, who also runs Feisty Kid Camp at the Walnut Valley Festival. These activities include an instrument petting zoo, where children can explore different kinds of instruments and make one of their own. There will also be a structured jam for kids of all ages, where they’ll learn a song or two and play together. Some instruments will be provided. Children and young adults are welcome to bring their own instrument as well. Youth can also showcase their talents and get some stage-time at our Youth Showcase. All activities for kids are free for participants and their families.
There will also be an open mic for a few hours Saturday afternoon, hosted in partnership with the Lovegrass Music Festival Association.
A silent auction will take place on Saturday. A raffle and door prizes will also be happening throughout the festival.
Damm Music is one of the vendors this year. Other vendors include Doozy’s Dyes and Wilma’s Silver Wars as the Color and Shine Boutique. Luthier Brian Kneeland will be there to provide instrument advice and answer any questions.
Nearly around-the-clock bluegrass and old time jamming at all skill levels is also included with the ticket price. Single day tickets range from $40-$50. A full weekend pass is $75. The Winterfest Bluegrass Festival is sponsored in part by VisitWichita, a grant from the City of Wichita Arts & Cultural Services, and support from the Kansas Touring Roster Visiting Artist Grant.
Details and schedule are on the Kansas Bluegrass Association’s Facebook page or visit www.kansasbluegrass.org. Contact us at info@kansasbluegrass.org