There is plenty of fiddling around Old Town Temecula during St. Patrick’s Weekend, March 16-18, as the 12th annual Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival takes over Town Square and every nook and cranny musicians can find a place play.
Known as the best free festival on the west coast by bluegrass fans, this year’s festival features 12 scheduled bands and dozens of impromptu performances throughout the six block town.
Headlining the Festival is Dan Crary & Thunderation. Crary, a legendary flat pick guitar player with a career that includes playing in the bands California and Bluegrass Alliance. He is known as a master guitarist for his unique style that blends traditional material with original compositions. Joining forces with singer/songwriter Steve Spurgin and mandolin/violin player Martin Stevens, Thunderation packs a musical wallop.
Concerts are free Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two stages. Saturday’s lineup includes Crary and Thunderation, Bluegrass Etc., Silverado Bluegrass Band, Old Town Road, Kanan Road, The Wimberlys, and the Third Street Band. Sunday’s free concerts include Salty Suites with Scott Gates, Murphy Family Band, Old Haywire, Bluegrass Brethren with two Sunday morning gospel performances, Keeping Fire, Horizon Ridge, Third Street Band and the Bayou Brothers.
The Festival kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, with a concert in the Old Town Temecula Community Theater featuring Silverado Bluegrass Band, Bluegrass Etc and Dan Crary and Thunderation. Tickets are $15.
To visit the cultural district of Old Town Temecula take the 15 Freeway to Rancho California Road or Highway 79 south and follow the signs leading to Old Town Front Street. Public parking is free. RV parking is available in town for $30 for the weekend. Reservations are recommended at (951) 678-0831. For more information call (951) 678-1456 or visit www.temeculacalifornia.com.