Wide Open Bluegrass announces more artists for downtown Raleigh festival

Wide Open Bluegrass announced Wednesday additions to the festival's 2019 line-up.

Posted 2:01 p.m. Jun 26, 2019 — Updated 2:25 p.m. Jun 26, 2019

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL digital journalist

RALEIGH, N.C. — Wide Open Bluegrass announced Wednesday additions to the festival's 2019 line-up, including I'm With Her, Sister Sadie, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, among others.

Earlier this year, the Del McCoury band and Molly Tuttle were announced as the main-stage artists for the September festival held in downtown Raleigh. Other performers include Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson and Balsam Range. Even more performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The free festival will take place Sept. 27 and 28 at Red Hat Amphitheater and at seven other stages throughout downtown Raleigh. The line-up and schedule will be updated online as the event gets closer.

The Wide Open Blue Grass Festival featuring Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, and Leftover Salmon was hosted in downtown Raleigh N.C. on September 28 and 29th of 2018 (Chris Baird/WRAL Contributor).

A big change to the festival this year is that the Red Hat concerts will feature free admission, although a limited number of seats will be reserved for purchase. The shows at Red Hat begin at 5 p.m. each day of the festival, with other performances held daily at the State Capitol stage and at stages along Hargett Street, Martin Street, Davie Street and in City Plaza.

"The new model...is an intentional effort to take bluegrass to the masses by reducing barriers to participation," said William Lewis with PineCone, a producer of Wide Open Bluegrass. "All are welcome."

Wide Open Bluegrass looks to the future

Lawn seating at Red Hat will be open on a first-come-first-served basis until the venue has reached capacity. A limited number of seats in prime sections will be offered between $50 and $60 per ticket for IBMA members or between $60 and $70 for non-members.

World of Bluegrass to remain in Raleigh through 2021

Last year, organizers announced that World of Bluegrass will remain in Raleigh until 2021 -- at least. Since the festival moved to Raleigh in 2013, Mayor Nancy McFarlane said the festival has attracted nearly 860,000 attendees and generated a $48 million economic impact in the city.

The festival features national and local artists.

WRAL-TV is a proud sponsor for the main stage performances at Red Hat as well as for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival.

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