TRUMANSBURG, N.Y. –– After announcing that the annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival would be canceled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 restrictions, organizers now say that the Trumansburg Fairgrounds will host a series of limited capacity concerts in light of declining coronvirus cases and a loosening of those same restrictions.
The show will be “POD (Personal Outdoor Dance Space) based,” one-night concerts on the Infield Stage of the Fairgrounds location in Trumansburg, with attendees being able to book sectioned-off spaces for themselves and groups of up to four to enjoy the entertainment from safe social distances. There will also be a dance area available to fully vaccinated attendees.
In addition, camping will be available surrounding concert weekends –– reservations will open up this week.
“Although we were unable to host our full 30th Annual GrassRoots Festival this summer, we are grateful for all of the work done by all of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, including New York State and the Tompkins County Health Department, Town of Ulysses and Village of Trumansburg, that have allowed us to present this modified version of the GrassRoots spirit throughout the month of July,” organizer Russ Fridell said.
He added, “based on how a similar concert series has been received to rave reviews at our sister location at Shakori Hills GrassRoots in North Carolina, we are very excited to continue to be leading the way in safely bringing live music back to Tompkins County in the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes region at a time when people are ready and excited for it, and this concert series offers something for everyone!”
Over the course of the month of July, performances will include Railroad Earth (7/9), Galactic feat. Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph (7/10), Sam Bush Band (7/16), Cory Henry (7/17), a special three-day Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Weekend (7/23-25), The Return of Jimkata & Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (7/30) and Spin Doctors (7/31).
Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend, July 23-25, will feature performances by the festival founding band, Donna The Buffalo, over all three nights and performances from The Campbell Brothers, Kinobe, Sim Redmond Band, Kiran Ahluwalia, Keith Secola, Jim Lauderdale, Cortadito, Feufollet, Gunpoets, Fabi World Music Trio, Richie & Rosie, Western Centuries and Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots.
Tickets are on-sale now at the links below. For more information about the Festival visit GrassRootsFest.org.
7/9 – Railroad Earth w/ Aaron Lipp & Max Flansburg
7/10 – Galactic feat. Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph w/ Danielle Ponder
7/16 – Sam Bush Band w/ Driftwood
7/17 – Cory Henry w/ Sophistafunk
7/23-25 – Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Weekend
7/30 – The Return of Jimkata & Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad