FEST: GottaGetGon @ the Saratoga County Fairgrounds

Since 1970, the Pick’n’ & Sing’n’ Gather’n’ has sponsored the GottaGetGon, a Memorial Day weekend musical getaway and family folk festival. It’s informal, interactive and lots of fun. Camping is encouraged. So grab your musical instrument and get gone…

Featured performers at this summer’s GottaGetGon include self-taught guitarist and banjo player Charlie Parr, the Rhode Island husband-and-wife duo of Atwater-Donnelly, the versatile Heather Pierson Trio and the Celtic sounds of the Ben Miller & Anita MacDonald Quartet.

Held at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa, gates open on Friday afternoon on May 27, and the fest gets rolling with at 8pm with the New Generation Folk Concert hosted by Fiona Craig and featuring performances by the 5 Mile String Band, the Young Novelists and Max Hatt/Edda Glass.

On Saturday, May 28, the fest hosts workshops and concerts all day long, kicking off with the opening sampler concert at 10:25am (oh, those crazy folkies). There’s a family country dance slated for 8pm with Elwood Donnelly calling the steps to the music of Aubrey Atwater & Friends.

Concerts and workshops continue on Sunday, May 29, beginning with a gospel music session at 9:30am. The fest hosts an open mic session from 4:15-6pm, and after dark, the festivities wrap up with the traditional a cappella sing session.

GO HERE for the complete weekend schedule…

Advance tickets are $55 for the weekend or $30 per day. Advance tickets for students age 19-22 years old are $30 for the weekend or $18 per day; students and children under 19 are free with paying adult. Evening-only tickets are also available for $5. Weekend tix include free camping.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING FESTIVALS FOR 2016:
MOUNTAIN JAM @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter, June 2-5
WILDWOODSTOCK @ the Parting Glass, Saratoga Springs, June 5
A TASTE OF COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter, June 10-12
CLEARWATER’S GREAT HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL @ Croton Point Park, Croton-On-Hudson, June 18-19 UPDATE: This festival has been cancelled.
OLD SONGS FESTIVAL @ Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, June 24-26
BEACON JAZZ FESTIVAL @ Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, June 25
FREIHOFER’S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, June 25 & 26
GREEN RIVER FESTIVAL @ Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, July 8-10
COUNTRYFEST @ Schaghticoke Fairgrounds, Schaghticoke, July 9
GREY FOX BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Walsh Farm, Oak Hill, July 14-17
SCHENECTADY COUNTY SUMMERNIGHT @ State & Jay streets, Schenectady, July 15, FREE
FRESHGRASS @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, September 16-18
JAZZ AT THE LAKE @ Shepard Park, Lake George, September 17 & 18, FREE
AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR THE LAKE @ Charles Wood Park, Lake George, September 24 & 25