What: Coombs Bluegrass Festival featuring Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, Bix Mix Boys, Special Consensus, Clover Point Drifters and more
When: Thursday through Sunday
Where: Coombs Rodeo Grounds, 2595 Alberni Highway, Coombs
Tickets: $35 daily ($60-$80 multi-day pass)
Note: Children 12 and under free
After three decades of perfect programming and smooth execution, things run pretty much as they should at the Coombs Bluegrass Festival.
The four-day festival, held at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, remains one of the last authentic bluegrass throwbacks, a festival where the term “new country” never enters into the mix, to the delight of its extremely dedicated audience, which has kept the festival in the black for much of its 36-year run.
It’s all about the spirit of the weekend, both for staff and audience. The Coombs event is by far the oldest of its kind in B.C., so acts from across the U.S. and Canada come to play, largely because they know they will be well-received.
This year’s lineup of activity (all held at either the rodeo grounds main stage or the nearby Coombs Hall) is no drop-off in terms of quality.
However, touring acts — this year including Jeff Scroggins and Colorado from (where else?) Colorado, Edmonton’s Bix Mix Boys, Chicago’s Special Consensus and Victoria’s Clover Point Drifters, among others — are only part of the appeal.
Parking-lot picking, bluegrass workshops for veterans and beginners, and Sunday morning gospel concerts are a few of many programming highlights. For the popular workshops, which include banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, guitar and harmony singing, reservations are suggested.
The Coombs Bluegrass Festival is held at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, at 2595 Alberni Highway. For information, go to coombsbluegrass.com.