One South Lewis County’s two Americana summer music events is just around the corner.
Musicians and listeners are welcome at Winolequa Park in Winlock, the first weekend in August for the 21st annual Pickersfest Music Festival.
The festival officially starts on Friday, Aug. 4 and runs through the morning of Sunday, Aug. 6. Campers and music jam fans will start showing up on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 3.
The three day music event will feature acoustic music, including bluegrass, gypsy jazz, Americana and much more, according to a news release.
The headliners performing both Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening include:
• Runaway Train: a South Puget Sound band that was formed in 2000, playing bluegrass and Americana music. They have played many major festivals in the Northwest.
• The Cowchips which plays a mix of western swing, bluegrass and cowboy tunes. They are a Northwest fixture reminiscent of swing bands going as far back as the 1940s.
• Misty Mamas: three women who have decades of playing and singing in harmony. They play bluegrass, old time, gospel, folk and country music.
• Ranger and the Re-Arrangers: their repertoire includes swing standards, traditional melodies, gypsy jazz and “Hot Club Swing.”
• Curlew’s Call: a Pacific Northwest Celtic band who play Celtic, Irish and maritime songs, Curlew’s Call is a Celtic party band playing lots of songs to sing along with.
There will also be a slow jam for beginning musicians and up to participate in on Saturday, according to a news release.
The festival features workshops on guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle and banjo taught by members of the headlining bands — all for no additional charge, according to a news release. And there will be open mic opportunities Saturday afternoon.
A weekend pass is $30 and a daily pass is $20. Camping is $10 per night and there will be multiple opportunities to participate in jam sessions during the day and into the night.
Food is available at the festival, prepared by and supporting the Winlock Youth Baseball organization, starting at noon Friday through breakfast on Sunday morning.
Pickersfest is also pet friendly, according to a news release. For more information, visit https://winlockpickersfest.com/.
As Winolequa Park only has a few picnic tables near the stage, organizers encourage attendees to bring their own comfortable lawn chairs for seating.
