Annual Baygrass Bluegrass Music Festival Returns to Islamorada Jan. 17-20

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — The spirit of Baygrass Bluegrass Festival is alive with four days of traditional and next-generation bluegrass, mixed with intriguing variations on the genre, during the Baygrass Bluegrass Festival set for Friday through Monday, Jan. 17-20. 

The long weekend festival is free to attend and takes place in two locations. Music fans can enjoy events Friday through Sunday in the beer garden at Florida Keys Brewing Company, located at 81611 Old Highway in Islamorada’s Morada Way Arts & Cultural District. The final concert is to be staged Monday at the amphitheater in Founders Park, 87000 Overseas Highway. 

Kicking it off in the beer garden Friday, Jan. 17, is a 4-8 p.m. performance by Hare of the Dawg, featuring improvisational string music that draws inspiration from swing, bluegrass and gypsy jazz. An 8-10 p.m. open jam session is to round out the evening. 

Saturday brings a day of music in the beer garden, beginning at 2 p.m. with Uproot Hootenanny scheduled to perform classic bluegrass and Irish-influenced folk until 5 p.m. The Wondering Hours, a Tampa-based group that blends traditional American string music with early bluegrass and folk, is to follow with a 6-10 p.m. appearance.

Sunday features a 1-4 p.m. set by Low Ground in the beer garden, delivering  swing, rock and blues-influenced bluegrass jams. To follow is a 6-10 p.m. performance by The Grass is Dead, a festival favorite, with bluegrass versions of The Grateful Dead and related music. 

Baygrass Bluegrass is to conclude with a 3-6 p.m. show Monday, Jan. 20, at the Founders Park amphitheater with two bands. Up first is Alligator Alley, blending classic and contemporary bluegrass with originals. Scheduled to follow is mandolin prodigy Silas Powell and the Powell Family Band, a three-generation family trio from West Virginia with an exciting sound and rich harmonies. 

All shows in the beer garden and at Founders Park are free, with a $10 charge for parking Monday at Founders Park. Attractions at beer garden shows include food truck offerings and Florida Keys Brewing Company brews on tap. The Monday concert in the park is to offer food truck fare with beer and wine for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating to Founders Park. 

Daily lineups can be viewed at keysice.com/baygrass-bluegrass-festival and on the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/baygrassbluegrass.