TOP-TAPPIN’ TUNES: BAYGRASS BLUEGRASS BEGINS JAN. 17 IN ISLAMORADA

a group of men standing on top of a stage
The Baygrass Bluegrass Festival wraps up Monday, Jan. 20 at the Founders Park amphitheater with performances from Alligator Alley, among others. CONTRIBUTED

The Baygrass Bluegrass Festival will return to Islamorada with four days of traditional bluegrass, new-generation sounds, and variations on the genre.

Produced by Florida Keys Brewing Company (FKBC) and Islamorada Community Entertainment (ICE), the free festival is set for Friday, Jan. 17 through Monday, Jan. 20, in two main locations: the beer garden at FKBC, located at 81611 Old Highway in the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, and the amphitheater at Founders Park, located at 87000 Overseas Highway. 

The festival opens Friday, Jan. 17, in the beer garden from 4 to 8 p.m. with Hare of the Dawg, blending bluegrass with swing and gypsy jazz. An open jam session follows from 8 to 10 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 18, Uproot Hootenanny takes over from 2 to 5 p.m., performing classic bluegrass with Irish folk influences, followed by the Wondering Hours from 6 to 10 p.m., offering a mix of traditional American string music, early bluegrass, and folk. Sunday, Jan. 19, runs from 1 to 4 p.m. in the beer garden with Low Ground’s swing-, rock-, and blues-infused bluegrass. From 6 to 10 p.m., The Grass is Dead presents fan-favorite bluegrass renditions of the Grateful Dead and related tunes. 

a group of men standing next to a white van
The Grass is Dead will play fan-favorite bluegrass renditions of the Grateful Dead and related tunes on Sunday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. beer garden. CONTRIBUTED

Baygrass Bluegrass wraps up on Monday, Jan. 20, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Founders Park amphitheater. Alligator Alley leads off with classic and contemporary bluegrass as well as original songs, followed by the finale featuring mandolin prodigy Silas Powell and the Powell Family Band, a three-generation group from West Virginia known for its vibrant harmonies and commanding stage presence. 

Attendance at all shows is free, with a $10 parking fee at Founders Park on Monday, Jan. 20. In the beer garden, festivalgoers can enjoy Florida Keys Brewing Company craft beers on tap along with food truck fare, while the Monday concert offers food trucks plus beer and wine for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating for the Founders Park show. 

ICE, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing local arts and supporting young artists, uses event proceeds to fund scholarships, grants, and other arts programs.