Love bluegrass music?

Alabama’s premiere bluegrass festival delights in Stapleton this weekend

By Allison Marlow
Posted 10/22/21

In just three short years the Stapleton Bluegrass Festival has been named the top bluegrass event in Alabama by Bama Buzz.

Of course, the locals who have loved, grown, and helped revive the …

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Love bluegrass music?

Alabama’s premiere bluegrass festival delights in Stapleton this weekend

Posted

In just three short years the Stapleton Bluegrass Festival has been named the top bluegrass event in Alabama by Bama Buzz.

Of course, the locals who have loved, grown, and helped revive the festival after a short hiatus knew that all along.

The festival was a staple of the fall calendar in the early 80s after the first bluegrass gathering was held rather informally to raise money for a new town fire station. A committee formed soon after to build another bluegrass event to raise money for a community park and a tradition was born.

After a 20-year run the festival was put on hiatus. Three years ago, the staff, parents and students of Stapleton School revived the tradition in an effort to raise money for the tiny school.

Now, the day full of music, food, and activities has garnered 10 million views on Facebook and YouTube and been named the can’t miss bluegrass event in all of Alabama.

Money raised from the most recent festivals have helped make improvements at Stapleton School, including the purchase of an electronic sign, a flag pole, picnic tables, basketball goals, playground safety mulch and the construction of an outdoor stage. Academic improvements have also been made through the bluegrass fundraiser. The school has upgraded its computer lab, purchased virtual reality headsets and curriculum.

The festival kicks off Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. and wraps up at 5:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 – 12. No coolers or alcohol allowed.

For more information, visit https://stapletonbluegrassfestival.com

Musical lineup:

Amanda Cook - Originally from Jay, Florida, Cook acquired a love of bluegrass from her father who played the banjo throughout her childhood. In 2007, Amanda formed the bluegrass group High Cotton with her father and received her first taste of performing, fueling a fire to continue on a professional level.

David Adkins - Dave Adkin’s band plays Adkins’ award-winning originals and chart-topping songs along with country and rock classics that have fans jumping to their feet. Adkins impressive lead vocals along with the top-tier energy of the band makes for a highly entertaining performance.

The Cotton Pickin Kids - Taking the stage for the first time in 2017, The Cotton Pickin Kids were taught at a young age to play various instruments whether it be the guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or harmonica. 

Hillspring Drive - Hillspring Drive is a Bluegrass Gospel band from McIntosh, Alabama.

Blue Mullet - Blue Mullet is a Fairhope-based bluegrass band, steeped in traditional, contemporary, and Gospel bluegrass. 

Down Home 2.0 - A long-time area favorite reuniting just for this year’s festival!