Down-home music, food and drinks and a beachfront venue where you and your family can help support Chesapeake Bay causes? Welcome to the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival.
The second annual Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 21–22 on the gorgeous eastern beach at Sandy Point State Park along Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, MD. Highlighting the finest in regional and national bluegrass, jamgrass, funkgrass, and Americana music, this conservation and community-focused musical event was listed as a “Don’t-Miss Bay Music Festival” by Chesapeake Bay Magazine. A family-friendly festival, Annapolis Baygrass draws people from all over the country and the region to enjoy the unique beachfront destination.
There will be plenty of offerings for all ages including interactive artist and conservation workshops, beachfront yoga classes, beach and yard games, a Kidzone, a craft vendor village, and other activities. Baygrass’ environmental ethos is evidenced in its adoption of the sustainability model, making it one of the only green festivals in Maryland.
Single-day and two-day VIP and general admission tickets are on sale now. But there’s only limited single-day and VIP availability, so you’ll want to buy them ahead.
Over two days, Annapolis Baygrass will host a stellar lineup of 14 bands (+ 3 Artists-at-Large) across two alternating stages as well as an interactive workshop pavilion. You can see the full line-up here.
Oteil & Friends headline Saturday, September 21, with Oteil Burbridge along with Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna, and Lamar Williams Jr. Jam-packed with music, Saturday also hosts Leftover Salmon, Trouble No More (celebrating the iconic early catalogue of the Allman Brothers Band featuring Brandon “Taz” Niederaurer), Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, The Lil Smokies, and Baygrass House Band Geraldine.
Sunday, September 22 is equally as spellbinding with The Infamous Stringdusters, Kitchen Dwellers, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Cris Jacobs & Friends; Brown Eyed Women (all female Grateful Dead tribute ensemble), Big Richard, and The Dirty Grass Players.
Ready to mix some funk and soul in with all the strings, The BayBrass Horns-at-Large will perform throughout the weekend include trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick and trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman, along with saxophonist Ron Holloway.
More than a music festival, Annapolis Baygrass maintains its mission to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. As part of this mission a portion of all proceeds from tickets, food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organizations including Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
Baygrass recognizes that music is often an excellent means of healing and support in fostering an environment where community well-being is enhanced, and The VA Way acts as a central point to connect a range of resources to the occasion.
Festival co-founder and CEO Ron Peremel says, “Baygrass was born out of our team’s love of progressive bluegrass music, a desire to create a fun and unique community-oriented vibe, and a passion for protecting the Chesapeake Bay. The Baygrass philosophy is to help people learn about conservation, sustainability, and mental health—in a way that combines education with fun.”
Sandy Point State Park is a 786-acre Maryland State Park located along the northwestern shore of Chesapeake Bay that provides a perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind festival with stunning views and ample space for attendees to spread out and enjoy themselves in comfort and style on the sandy beaches. The site is ADA accessible. Annapolis Baygrass is an official partner of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.
See the Baygrass website for the full schedule of events, additional details on lodging, shuttle service, VIP upgrades, and more: baygrassfestival.com.
