CUMBERLAND — DelFest kicks off Thursday with more than 40 bands scheduled to perform, including headliners Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, Water Tower with Sierra Ferrell, the Punch Brothers and The Del McCoury Band.
Also performing is the popular southern rock band Blackberry Smoke along with the Toy Factory Project, a Marshall Tucker Band tribute group featuring Marcus King on guitar.
“It’s really a great lineup,” said Ronnie McCoury, son of Del McCoury and mandolin player for the Del McCoury Band. “It’s amazing when you think about it how the schedules of everyone can come together so they can be there. We’re delighted with it.”
Held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, the four-day festival runs from May 21-24. DelFest features three stages: the main Grandstand Stage, the Potomac Stage and the Music Hall stage, which is located inside the fairground’s multi-purpose building.
Del McCoury, who turned 87 in February, will perform daily shows, including fronting a McCoury Family Hour on Saturday inside the Music Hall at 2:15 p.m.
The festival features a wide variety of accommodations and family-related activities. The fairgrounds has camping available from utility hookup sites for RVs to spots for tents.
The festival features more than 30 vendors selling food, beverages and various merchandise. Also, the festival offers communal yoga instruction, a KidsZone and access to the North Branch of the Potomac River.
But the primary draw is the music. DelFest features many of the top stars of bluegrass, country and rock acts each year. The first DelFest in 2008 included Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, the Punch Brothers, Ronnie Bowman and others.
The DelFest family suffered a loss in March this year when Bowman, who participated in DelFest every year, died following a motorcycle accident. Bowman was an instructor at the DelFest Academy, which is held annually at the fairgrounds Sunday through Wednesday prior to the festival’s opening on Thursday.
“He will be missed in a big way,” said Ronnie McCoury.
“Ronnie Bowman was such a postive and joyful guy to be around. He was a wonderful singer and songwriter.”
Led by Lisa McCoury, the DelFest Academy features many of the top musicians at the festival offering instruction to more than 100 students who sign up to participate each year.
A major stroke of luck for the DelFest lineup this year is landing Alison Krauss, Ronnie McCoury said. Alison Krauss and Union Station will close the festival Sunday, performing from 10 to 11:30 p.m.
“Our family has known Alison for years since she was a teenager,” said Ronnie McCoury. “We’ve watched her career take off. We’ve tried to get her (at DelFest) for years, but her schedule never lined up. She would be in another part of the country or in Europe touring when she was on the road. But, this year it all came together and we’re thrilled.”
In addition to Krauss, Marty Stuart and Sierra Ferrell, other acts performing include dobro master Jerry Douglas, who will perform with Krauss.
The daily shows will feature Del McCoury kicking off the festival at 4:15 p.m. Thursday followed by Sister Sadie, the Infamous Stringdusters and The Toy Factory Project.
The Toy Factory Project is an all-star collection of musicians who perform the music of the late Toy Caldwell, guitartist and founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band. Caldwell wrote and sang lead vocal on the Marshall Tucker Band’s classic hit “Can’t You See.”
The Toy Factory Project consists of popular guitarist Marcus King, guitarist Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke and Paul T. Riddle, the original drummer from the Marshall Tucker Band. Other members include Josh Shilling on keyboard and Oteil Burbridge on bass. Billy Contreras plays fiddle and Jimmy Rector adds percussion.
Friday’s music includes the high energy group Gaelic Storn beginning at 2 p.m., following by Water Tower with Sierra Ferrell, the Punch Brothers at 5:45 p.m., The Del McCoury Band at 7:30 p.m. and Blackberry Smoke from 10 to 11:30 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup on the Grandstand Stage features Chris Knight at 2 p.m., followed by Sierra Hull, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives at 5:45, Maggie Rose from 7:45-9:15 p.m. and The Travelin’ McCourys closing the day.
Sunday’s highlights feature Dre Ander’s Gospel Collective from noon until 1:15 p.m., followed by Southern Avenue, Mountain Grass Unit, Peter Rowan and Sam Grisman, The Del McCoury Band and Krauss.
For attendees still ready for more music after the outdoor stages go quiet at 11:30 p.m., DelFest offers ticketed late-night shows inside the multi-purpose building from 12:15 to 4 a.m.
For more information, including ticket availability, visit DelFest.com.