Our guide to Wide Open Bluegrass Festival

A look at the Wide Open Bluegrass festival taking over downtown Raleigh on Friday-Saturday.

Posted 6:20 p.m. Sep 24, 2013 — Updated 11:36 a.m. Sep 28, 2013

Kathy Hanrahan

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Wide Open Bluegrass festival is taking over downtown Raleigh Friday and Saturday. This event is massive, so we decided to break it down for you.

Street Festival

This free event will include more than 50 bands on three music stages, a dance tent, youth performances, vendors and concessions. See the entire schedule of performers on the official website.

Also, get free access to the IBMA exhibit hall open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Other highlights include an art market, kids and sports zones, hula hoop rink and beer and wine tasting exhibit ($10 for eight 3 oz. pours). See a map of the action

The Got to Be NC tent will have regional cuisine, and if you are hungry make sure to hit the North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship, which is being held on Fayetteville Street. Chefs are going to be judged Saturday morning then cut up and served to the public!

WRAL is one of the sponsors of this year's Street Festival!

Check Go Ask Mom this week for a complete list of the family-friendly fun at the festival.

Main Stages

The Red Hat Amphitheater and Raleigh Convention Center will be hosting tons of acts as part of the Wide Open Bluegrass festival. Highlights this year include Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers closing the festival with Edie Brickell on Saturday night at Red Hat. You need tickets to attend these shows. Single-day tickets start at $30 and two day passes are also available.

Bluegrass Ramble

Starting Tuesday (tonight), you can hear great bluegrass around downtown Raleigh. Venues hosting Bluegrass Ramble acts are The Lincoln Theatre, The Long View Center, Pour House, Tir Na Nog, Kings and The Architect. You can get tickets for these events through the IBMA website.

There is also a free app to help you navigate all of the activities happening this weekend. Find out more about that on the official event website.

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