Roscoe Canaday Memorial Bluegrass Festival Waldo, Fl: Feb 26 - March 2

The Roscoe Canaday Memorial Bluegrass Festival runs through the week of February 26 - March 2nd, with the majority of the music coming on Friday and Saturday. Campers, however, will have a busy schedule of activities for the entire week in the continually improving Dixieland RV Park in Waldo, FL.  New owners and campground hosts Greg and Michelle Griffis have worked hard and with success since acquiring Dixieland Park several years ago to improve it's physical plant. Meanwhile, Ernie Evans, as festival promoter has consistently built the quality of the bands coming to this small town along U.S. route 301, best known for its flea market and speed trap, into the upper echelons of Florida bluegrass destinations.  Dixieland RV Park has become a pleasant place to stay, the shed is covered having sidewall and heat to keep it comfortable when the weather can still turn chilly outdoors in North Florida. There are full hookup sites and plenty of room. For camping reservations, call (352) 468-3988.

The Music

Blue Highway

Blue Highway, celebrating twenty years together as a band and featuring some of the finest singer/ songwriter music available in bluegrass travels to Florida for a rare appearance there on Saturday. Blue Highway's consistent performance through the years has been remarkable. Don't miss this show.

Shawn Lane

Marty Raybon & Full Circle

 Marty Raybon has had a full career in both bluegrass and country music, winning numerous awards. In 2013, he was named IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year. His shows feature a mixture of his bluegrass work as well as his award winning work with the country band, Shenandoah. His heartfelt gospel singing is always a feature of his performances. Marty will headline Fridays lineup.

Travers Chandler & Avery County

Appearing on Saturday, Travers Chandler & Avery County reflect Chandler's respect and admiration for Charlie Moore and his Baltimore bar style. Lively and raucous, they are an entertaining band.

Newtown

Kati Penn, on fiddle, has returned after a brief maternity leave. With her husband Jr. Williams on banjo, Kati Penn has fashioned a band that combines traditional bluegrass with newgrass elements, making it interesting to hear.

Hard Road

Hard Road, from New Mexico, is a fusion band, featuring acoustic Americana and bluegrass in a delightful and intriguing mix. I haven't heard them yet, but look forward to it, after listening to several of their videos and clips. They'll be appearing on Friday.

The Palmetto Ramblers on Friday and Swinging Bridge on Saturday round out the lineup.

The Palmetto Ramblers

Swinging Bridge

But music isn't all that happens at The Roscoe Canaday. There'll be a Beans and Cornbread Jam on Tuesday evening, and a Bingo, a Potluck (meat provided), and movies (popcorn provided) on Wednesday. Thursday will feature Greg Bird's Open Mic Radio Broadcast.

Greg Bird

 

On Friday, Darlene Gilliam will host a Face2Face get-together for FaceBook friends who are at the festival to get together in real time. This is always a fun event.

Face2FaceBook Get-Together

 

 For further information, look at the Festival Flier here. There are tickets and camping spaces still available for this fine, small festival.

How to Get to Dixieland Music Park

Promoter Ernie Evans

See you there.