June 22, 2016 · 0 Comments
Dignitaries open the 33rd Annual Tottenham Bluegrass Festival June 17 at the Tottenham Conservation Area. Pictured, from left: Ward 7 Councillor for th Town of New Tecumseth Shira Harrison McIntyre, Mayor Rick Milne, Wendy gabrek President of the Tottenham Beeton & District Chamber of Commerce, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson.
By Wendy Gabrek
In Tottenham, bluegrass is more than a genre of music, it’s a tradition.
Over the June 17-19 weekend, the 33rd annual Tottenham Bluegrass Festival took place in the beautiful natural amphitheater of the Tottenham Conservation Area.
The park was filled to the brim with campers from all over North America, including some from right here at home, to take in week-long bluegrass activities throughout the Village of Tottenham – including the headlining acts on the main stage.
Festival events included free midweek fun activities, such as an Open Bluegrass Jam at The Rusty Nail, a Bluegrass Band Showcase at the Royal Canadian Legion, a Square Dance at Tottenham’s 4-corners, a Band Scramble at the Conservation Area, a guitar draw, and the 12th Annual Kid’s Amateur Music Contest.
Headlining acts included Spinney Brothers, Remington Ryde, Grasstic measures, Winterline, Traditionally Wound, David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition, Slocan Ramblers, Beeton Creek Rising, Davis & Grant and The Tebworth Brothers.
Tottenham Bluegrass Festival is a committee of the Tottenham Beeton & District Chamber of Commerce Inc., the Simcoe County Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Association, together with community volunteers, and the support of the Beeton-Tottenham Business Improvement Association and the Town of New Tecumseth, as well as generous local sponsors.
The Tottenham Bluegrass Festival is held every June and has come to be known as “Ontario’s Top Family Festival”, as children 16 and under are free.
This event also draws local vendors and food purveyors, and has a licensed beer tent.