For thousands of bluegrass music fans across the state and nation, the second weekend in June means only one thing: the Festival of the Bluegrass, a four-day, three-night rollicking concert and campout held on the Kentucky Horse Park's campgrounds.
What started out as an intimate gathering spearheaded by Bob and Jean Cornett at Walnut Hill Farm, now the location of the Kentucky Horse Park, in 1974, has blossomed into an internationally renowned, authentic bluegrass festival. For 15 years, the festival was held at Masterson Station Park, but in 1990, it made its move back to the horse park. In 2007, the International Bluegrass Music Association awarded the festival its "Event of the Year" designation.
The festival's success is due in large part to the Cornetts' disregard to commercial appeal, emphasis on hospitality, and having a whole army of family members who do everything from working the sound system for the festival's three stages to taking tickets at the gates. A large portion of the 16,000 or more fans who attend the festival are repeat visitors, many forming small communities, such as "Wooville" - friends who only see each other once a year. Of course, the festival's stellar lineup year after year probably has something to do with its success as well.
Organizers say that over 85 percent of attendees camp each night, but individual day tickets are available.