It’s time once again to write my article about The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2017 in the gorgeous mountains of New York State. Now folks, this is one of the more larger festivals that I cover on my website. This festival has many sponsors and workshops involved, and it is an outdoor festival that consists of six stages. As most of you already know THIS WEBSITE HERE includes pretty much every piece of needed information to attend and enjoy over 175 festivals yearly from many different genres.
Bluegrass has and always will be one of my most prominent genres I write about and this festival is truly one of the better East Coast ones. This festival has a smaller lineup of many BIG names in the Bluegrass world, and although my physical presence has been weaker on the east coast to write articles about festivals there, I have always supported them by making these and sharing the information.
I’m going to include their stages descriptions directly from their website:
Grey Fox Stages & Venues
HIGH MEADOW STAGE
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
The High Meadow Stage presents a “Who’s Who of Bluegrass” from Thursday through Sunday at Grey Fox. A gently sloping outdoor amphitheater, the High Meadow Stage runs Thursday from 1pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday from 11am to after midnight; and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Bring your own lawn chair, blanket or snubbers. Two large shade tents are also provided. Food vendors, beverages, artist merchandise and festival wear are available for sale. Lineup tba.
CATSKILL STAGE
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Possibly our most varied stage, begin your day in healthful yoga and meditation sessions, then be expertly led through invigorating square and contra dances by internationally acclaimed dance instructors, John Kirk and Trish Miller. Later the Catskill Stage presents some of your favorite main stage bands in concert, and finishes late each night with the best dance bands in the business. Bring your dancin’ shoes. You won’t want to sit still. And, oh! We kick of the festival here with an Open Mic Night for early campers and a bluegrass film on Wednesday night! Much fun!
CREEKSIDE STAGE
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
The Creekside Stage is an intimate tented concert venue that begins each day with our popular Grey Fox Emerging Artist Showcase, followed by unique combinations of award-winning artists, and informative workshops in conjunction with the International Bluegrass Music Association and Berklee College of Music. You’ll want to check the schedule for everything that’s happening here. Folding chairs are provided under this 300+ person tent.
GRASS ROOTS STAGE
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
This venue offers a mix of hands-on workshops, mini-concerts, and Q&A sessions with bluegrass music’s top instructors and performers. Bring your instrument (and seating) and expect to learn a thing or two that just might take your playing and singing to the next level. Or just come and enjoy! Everyone at every level is welcome.
SLOW JAM TENT
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
If you’re a beginning player, this is the place for you. You’ll find beginning instrumental classes, vocal workshops, and slow jams which will definitely get you started! It’s all taught by patient, knowledgable mentors who’ll lead you through the basics. The Slow Jams are sessions with bluegrass favorites slowed down so that everyone can keep up. Jump in. This is the way to learn!
FAMILY STAGE
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Grey Fox “kits” of all ages — from toddlers to teens — find a home away from home here at the Family Stage. Activities include tie dying, instrument making, nature crafts, yoga for kids, and more. Family concerts, dances, sing-alongs, storytelling, puppetry, ventriloquism, movies and more pack this venue all weekend long. And it’s here that Gary the Silent Clown (formerly with Ringling Brothers Circus) heads up the Grey Fox Clown College for 6th graders and up. All really fun. All really kid friendly.
BLUEGRASS ACADEMY FOR KIDS
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Since 1999, Grey Fox has been teaching kids to play, sing and perform traditional bluegrass music for four days during the festival. Our program, which has served as a model for academies by other festivals, serves more than 100 kids aged 8 to 17 each summer. Click for complete program info and registration.
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge
Lindsay Lou And The Flatbellys
Mark Gamsjager And The Luster Kings
The Grey Fox Way
CAMPERS CREED
As a camper, I agree to these guidelines:
- My campsite will not be more than 20×25 feet. Allowances for RVs.
- I will save NO MORE THAN TWO CAMPSITES besides my own up to noon Thursday. After that, I will welcome new folks to camp there.
- Park vehicles perpendicular to the roads to conserve space.
- Park all unnecessary vehicles in the Car Corral and earn raffle tickets.
- Use only camp stoves or grills for cooking. Make no ground fires. Leave no fire unattended. Have fire extinguisher handy.
- Use only local firewood purchased within 50 miles of Oak Hill.
- No luminaries! Landing on a tent could start a fire.
- Keep my campsite clean. Use trash and recycling barrels properly.
- Leave no debris on the ground. This is a working farm!
- Use no amplifiers. Play no loud recorded music at my campsite.
- Be super quiet from 10pm to 7am if camped in Quiet Camping.
- Drive only when necessary to reduce my impact on the land.
- Be considerate of my fellow campers. Follow the Golden Rule.
- Be patient and tolerant and even perform random acts of kindness.
- If I have a legitimate concern for anyone’s health or safety, I will seek assistance from Security or Medical personnel.
OTHER STUFF TO KNOW:
- No glass. Broken glass, barefoot children and hay farms just don’t mix.
- No pets. Sorry, we do not allow pets at Grey Fox. Call ahead. Most kennels require up to date shots, so be sure to bring documentation and food with you.
• Al-Ann Grooming & Boarding, Catskill, NY 518-945-1087
• Bed & Chow Pet Lodge, 11289 Rt 9W, Coxsackie, NY 518-731-6859 (3 mi from Coxsackie Exit off I-87)
• Carriage House, East Durham, NY 518-634-7009 (very close to festival)
• Hannacroix Kennels, Hannacroix, NY 518-756-2391
• Mainstay Kennels, 461 Route 385, Catskill, NY 518-943-7900 (Very close to NYS Thruway exit 21)
• Oak Hill Groom and Board, Route 81, Oak Hill, NY 518-239-6051 (very close to the festival)
• Pet Express Inn at the Albany Airport 518-785-0575
• Siam Kennels, Windham, NY 518-734-3168
• Valkin Kennels, Route 9, Valatie, NY 518-758-6195 (7 miles from I-90 exit 12) - Use only locally purchased firewood!! Bringing in firewood from more than 50 miles away is strictly illegal in New York State. Moving firewood long distances can spread tree-killing pests like the emerald ash borer. Please purchase firewood in towns such as Greenville, Catskill, Cairo, Middleburgh or at The Milk Run on Rt 145 a mile from the site. To learn why using locally purchased firewood is so important, visit Don’tMoveFirewood.org
- Use garbage and recycling bins as marked and please keep your campsite clean. Remember, we’re on a farm that produces hay for dairy cows to munch.
- Dispose of anything that might make animals sick such as cigarette butts, instrument strings, plastic bags, paper, etc. Be sure your area is clean before leaving. Thank you.
- Field dress all smoking materials. No butts on the ground.
- Smoking is prohibited in concert areas. If you wish to smoke, move beyond the outside edge of the crowd. This applies to all performance tents and food service areas.
SEATING & ETIQUETTE IN CONCERT AREAS
- Seating in concert areas is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- In the High Meadow concert area only, you may leave your chair in place all weekend. Bring your own chairs or blankets. If you leave the concert area for a while, it’s the ‘Grey Fox Way’ to share your chair/blanket until you return.
- Do not block the view of others. See map for high chair, low chair and blanket sections. A high chair is one that a basketball can fit under.
- Sunbrellas may be set up along the perimeter of the High Meadow seating area. Staff can direct you.
- We provide two large shade tents in the High Meadow Concert Area. Bring your own chairs.
- For handicapped attendees, a tent is provided. Staff will assist.
- The Creekside Stage is tented, with about 300 chairs provided.
- For all other performance areas, please provide your own seating.
- Keep your area litter-free. When you leave, take trash & recycling with you.
- Last but not least, during any performance, please refrain from talking. Others are trying to hear and enjoy the music.
We wish you a wonderful festival experience.
Copper Kettle Motel
4.7
$75
Hotel
Cozy lodging with a restaurant & a bar
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Winwood Inn
4.1
$114
3-star hotel
Modest lodging with a Mexican restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Albergo Allegria Bed & Breakfast Hotel
4.9
$129
4-star hotel
Homey B&B with a fireside lounge
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Hotel Vienna
4.7
$131
4-star hotel
Mountainside lodge with free breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
The Country Place Resort
3.8
3-star hotel
Casual all-inclusive resort & water park
Gavin’s Irish Country Inn
4.1
2-star hotel
Country inn with inclusive meals & shows
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
The Shamrock House
4.4
Motel
Baumann’s Brookside Resort
4.8
$200
Resort
Laid-back rooms, plus a pool & lake
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Blackthorne Resort
4.0
Resort
Woodland retreat with an amusement park
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Ruby’s Hotel
3.4
(9)
Hotel · 3689 Co Rd 67
Artsy bistro with retro furnishings
Captain’s Inn Point Lookout
4.6
3-star hotel
Casual country lodging with dining
Free Wi-Fi
Greenville Arms 1889 Inn
5.0
Bed & Breakfast
Free breakfast
Evergreen at The Thompson House
5.0
(2)
Hotel · 20 NY-296
Windham Mountain Inn
Hotel · 139 Co Rd 12
Antique Rose Inn Windham
4.7
$105
3-star hotel
Cuomo’s Cove
4.4
$145
4-star hotel
Upscale suites with kitchens & hot tubs
Acra Manor Resort
4.3
$110
4-star hotel
All-inclusive resort with sports
Free Wi-Fi
Windham Mountain Resort
4.4
(234)
Ski Resort · 19 Resort Dr
1,600 vertical ft. of skiing & 12 lifts
Free Wi-Fi
Christman’s Windham House
4.2
$175
3-star hotel
Historic inn with golf & 2 bars
Sunny Hill Resort
4.8
Resort
Old-school lodging, golf & a pool
Free breakfast
Dancin’ Dave’s Festival Camping is once again offering advanced camping accommodations for this festival. I have heard some truly great feedback from my “Spies” that go to some of the festivals I haven’t yet been to. This basically lets you pay a set price up front, and EVERYTHING IS SET UP AND READY upon arrival.
There’s NO NEED to have tent poles laying all over and strings everywhere, no instructions blowing in the wind or tent stakes to pound into the hard dirt. It might be a little more expensive but if convenience is your deal then THIS IS the package for you!
Advance Tickets Now Available:
Full Festival Advance: $215
Includes Camping 7am Wednesday thru 7pm Sunday
Day Tickets: $80
Thursday, Friday, or Saturday
Kids 12 and under, FREE with ticketed adult.
Senior Discount: $5 off day tickets at gate with ID.
How to Transfer Grey Fox Tickets
- LOG IN (upper right) to your account by clicking here, using your e-mail address and password.
- Click “MY ACCOUNT” (on the upper left)
- Click “Details” (center right)
- Scroll to bottom in “TICKETS” section
- Click on “Edit” (right side)
- Change name of ticket holder and click “SAVE”
- Click on “TICKETS” (top of page ticket icon)
- Scroll and click “PRINT” (on right side)