Free bluegrass festival returns to downtown Raleigh for 2 days

There will be free music stages, but proof of vaccination is required at ticketed events at the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts. Masks are required in indoor spaces and recommended at outdoor shows with large groups of people.

Organizers have already offered refunds to people who purchased tickets but didn’t get vaccinated. The musicians were also required to be fully vaccinated.

Last year, the event was virtual, but in prior years Fayetteville Street was filled with people listening to bluegrass music.

Organizers expect the festival will bring 200,000 people downtown this weekend.

Fans were energized to be there on Friday afternoon.

"People have sought us out - they love seeing us back in this, during the pandemic we went to people and places where people live," said Angelo Collins with Redneck Barbecue Lab. "It feels good that people are out and having a really good time."

"We missed it a lot," said Jake West with Dusty Donuts. "We missed a lot of things last year. We did what we were suppose to do and stay away."

Sponsors and organizers were happy about the return as well.

World of Bluegrass will require vaccines for ticketed events, masks indoors

"Last year was hard for all of us," said Jim Hansen, PNC Regional President. "Having folks here back downtown I think we’ll have great attendance ... we couldn’t have better weather – there's no better time to come enjoy bluegrass in Raleigh."

WRAL is a proud sponsor of this event.

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