Bluegrass Ramble Picnic

Pack Your Car and Head to the 49th Bluegrass Ramble Picnic!

Sunday, Aug. 7 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York

Calling all Bluegrass fans and anyone who loves a good time during our Central New York summer! Mark your calendar for Bill Knowlton’s 49th Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, the longest-running bluegrass music festival in New York, Pennsylvania, and New England. It’s a time for people of all ages to enjoy a day filled with great bluegrass bands from far and wide, performing in a beautiful Cortland County lakeside setting.

This year WCNY Classic FM is proud to co-sponsor this great event, in honor of Bill Knowlton’s 50th year hosting Bluegrass Ramble on our station. Listen every Sunday night 9-Midnight, as Bill helps us explore and truly appreciate this uniquely American music genre. If you’ve never been to the Picnic, it is a community-friendly event that started in 1973, bringing the top bluegrass artists to one location for one special day each summer. Affectionately known as “Mr. Bluegrass,” Bill Knowlton emcees the event, and plays recorded performances from the Picnic on his Bluegrass Ramble shows.

You can learn more about the history of bluegrass at www.ibma.org.

This year's picnic features:

Host Band: The Delaney Brothers

Gospel Way Salmon River Boys Jo Davoli & Harvey Nussbaum Melanie & the Boys Joe LaMay & Sherri Reese The Cadleys The Atkinson Family Northwater Larry Hoyt & the Good Acoustics Lonesome Road Ramblers Lake Effect And others!

Knowlton hosted the first all-bluegrass radio show in New York City in 1960. In 1997, he was named “Broadcast Personality of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association. He emcees at least 13 bluegrass festivals every year and writes liner notes for bluegrass and old-time country music artists. A Note from Bill Knowlton In 1973 listeners would often hear mentions of two Central New York Bluegrass communities, the “City Dwellers and College Attendees,” and the “Bluegrass Pickers,” while they listened to me on the air. I often touted their talents and amazing bluegrass sound. Because of this, I proposed we have a picnic somewhere to get together and “shake ‘n’ howdy,” and pick and sing, as our Southern musicians say.

We then needed a location to host our first Bluegrass Ramble Picnic. That venue came quickly when we found the perfect spot at the Hannibal VFW. From that year on, the “Up Country and Down City” Bluegrassers got together, forming life-long friendships, and even some new bluegrass and old-time bands.

After bouncing around a series of sites and sponsors for a couple of years, we finally settled on Dwyer Memorial Park, home of the Cortland Repertory Theatre, in Little York, NY. Ever since that day, it has been the permanent home of the Bluegrass Ramble Picnic and we couldn’t be happier.

Every year, we have hosted the Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, making it the second oldest Bluegrass event in the Northeast, just after a Bluegrass event in Southern New Jersey.

The picnic always occurs on the first Sunday in August. We start early at 10 a.m. with some gospel singing, and then we have bands every half hour, until just before 7 p.m. Every band that attends donates their musical services free of charge. While attending the picnic, you can find many of the band’s tables set up selling their CDs and bluegrass souvenirs. While you get your merchandise, you will also be soothed by the non-stop jam sessions that pop up throughout the park. Also, don’t forget to grab some tasty food from one of the many food vendors.

Attendees should also bring their lawn chairs to sit and relax while taking in the music. In the event that unwelcome rain arrives, there will be a large tent to keep everyone nice and dry. Admission to the picnic is always free. Picnic expenses are paid for by 50/50 raffles, t-shirt sales, and donations from the crowd.

Further information is available at wcny.org, or by calling 315-457-6100.

For newcomers, Bill suggests the following: 1. Bring a chair, blanket, and your favorite snacks 2. Plan to arrive early if you want front row seats! 3. There will be food & beverage vendors, so be sure to bring cash! 4. Bring a camera to capture the day 5. Fun for everyone, from 1 to 100+!