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Desert Bluegrass Festival
March 8, 2024 - March 10, 2024
Desert Bluegrass Festival this weekend! Starting Friday, March 8th, come out to Gladden Farms Community Park for three days of the best Bluegrass music in the Southwest, with some of the most enthusiastic fans. Enjoy instrument and songwriting workshops, contra dance, jam sessions, a band scramble, kids’ activities, and crafts, alongside the amazing Bluegrass performances. What is a Band Scramble?
We’re glad you asked! Here’s how it works: Bring an instrument, put your name in the bucket, and find your randomly-drawn bandmates. You’ll have a few minutes to come up with a name and work out a song, and then play for everyone else! It’s interesting and fun to play, or just to watch.
After the scramble, local favorite Nick McBlaine and Logtrain will be playing some of the best bluegrass in Tucson, and they’ll follow it up with a contra dance that will get everyone up and dancing.
Did we mention that everything on Friday is FREE? The Weekend is Jam Packed!
Saturday and Sunday will feature bands all day long, with groups from Tucson, other parts of Arizona, and even as far away as Utah, California, Tennessee, Virginia, and more!
Highlights include Cadillac Mountain, Hillbilly Fever, and headlining it all, the Mike Mitchell Band.
Tickets are $25/day for Saturday and Sunday, or $40 for the whole weekend, children under 16 are free. Friday’s events are free. Camping is also available for the festival weekend! The price per RV campsite is $50 for the whole weekend, Thursday-Sunday. Tent camping is available for free on the soccer field at the park, or $20 to be closer to the RVs. Most of the impromptu jam sessions happen in the campground, near the RVs!
Bluegrass music originated in the Appalachian region of the US in the 1940s, and is played almost exclusively on acoustic string instruments, such as guitars, mandolins, banjos, and fiddles. It’s known for its quick tempos and “down-home” sound.
Visit our website for more information and to get your tickets to this unique celebration of all things Bluegrass!
Plus, there are several more opportunities to hear live bands in Marana.
TOP EVENTS IN AND AROUND MARANA
Marana Founders’ Day Parade & Festivities – Saturday, March 16th
Fords Off 4th at the Premium Outlets – Saturday, March 16th
Concerts in the Courtyard – Thursday, March 21st
Springtime at the Patch – March 23rd, 24th, & 30th