By Kate Bartlett
July 2-5 marks the 33rd annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival, a four-day family-friendly camping and music event on their beautiful campgrounds in Sherman, NY. As tradition, this event takes place over Independence Day weekend and features over 30 bands across 4 stages spanning genres including bluegrass, reggae, funk, and Americana.
Julie Rockcastle, co-owner of Great Blue Heron Campground with her husband Steve, founded the festival in 1992 as a way to bring the community together with music. The festival has grown and evolved over the years, starting with 800 attendees to now attracting over 5,000+ guests, many of which return year after year. “We attract an eclectic group of people of all ages; the festival spans generations. It’s beautiful to see music connecting people in that way,” explains Juile. “I’ve met incredible people from one town over, and guests who’ve traveled from Hawaii, California, Florida and Wyoming. Many guests return year after year so it’s become a bit of a reunion for some festival goers.”
This year’s festival features 4 stages with over 48 bands playing across the 4-day festival. In addition, the festival embraces family fun activities including kids and teen tents with a full program of activities (crafts, macrame, instrument making, gaga pit, and more) 10 food vendors and 24 craft vendors. Festival goers can buy single day tickets, or camp all weekend.
The event kicks off on Thursday, July 2 with an official Kickoff Party, a Hoedown style barn party featuring Folkfaces, Eastern Boys in Western Shirts and more. Camping opens on Thursday and is available for the duration of the event, through Monday morning, July 7.
This year’s lineup features 48+ artists with a program that leans into funk and groove, weaving together fan favorites with up and coming artists, including Ripe, The Dip, Donna the Buffalo, Moon-tricks, Big Something, Bombargo, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Driftwood, Hot Like Mars, Daniel Rodriguez, Mosaic Foundation, Smilo & the Ghost, PA Line, Root Shock, Buffalo Zydeco, Surfing For Daisy, and more. For a full list of artists visit GreatBlueHeron.com.
The campground provides a beautiful background for the festival with over 400 acres for hiking and a spring-fed, lifeguard-protected swimming pond. Visitors can participate in yoga, meditation, and wellness programming in the Revival Tent; browse food and craft vendors, enjoy local beer, wine, hard cider, slushies, and other beverages in The Heron’s Keg Room.
Festivalgoers will enjoy the newly constructed bathhouse with four private shower units, sinks, and flush toilets with full plumbing and an outdoor sink station available for dishwashing throughout the weekend. “We’re looking forward to helping our guests be more comfortable,” explains Rockcastle. “It’s simple, but these simple things make a big difference.”
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival is a celebration of community, music, summer and the great outdoors. “The festival is about people gathering, making friends while enjoying music. It’s about celebrating summer and nature and sleeping out under the stars. It’s about spreading happiness and sharing time with one another, greeting each other with ‘Happy Heron.’ People are feeling good and experiencing the joy of the festival. It’s quintessential summer here at The Heron.”
Weekend tickets are on sale now for two-, three-, and four-day passes, with upgrades available for RV and vehicle-side tent camping. One-day tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday. All tickets include free Red Lot parking and walk-in tent camping in the woods. Full details at greatblue-heron.com.