We can’t wait to jam out at the 18th annual ROMP Festival September 15-18. Dust off the RV, unfurl those tents, book your hotel rooms, and meet us at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro, Kentucky for 4 days of non-stop fun!
The pandemic cancelled the 2020 annual ROMP Festival, which means the 2021 festival is pulling out all the stops. Many ROMP fan-favorites are returning to perform this year, so you’ll see familiar names in addition to brand new artists. Whether you’re a bluegrass aficionado or just a fan of great music, you’re sure to enjoy the show. “Since I’ve been here, I feel like this ROMP lineup is the most diverse we’ve had,” says Chris Joslin, Executive Director of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The ROMP Festival 2021 lineup: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Robert Earl Keen, Sam Bush, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sarah Jarosz, Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Dan Tyminski, Leyla McCalla, We Banjo 3, The Lil Smokies, Town Mountain, Balsam Range, Blue Highway, Wolfpen Branch, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Sister Sadie, The Price Sisters, Mama Said String Band, The Josephines, Hot Brown Smackdown, Full Cord Bluegrass, Kentucky Shine, Giri & Uma Peters, and Kings Highway.
Enjoy sounds of JamGrass through The Infamous Stringdusters, celtic music from fan-favorite We Banjo 3, as well as plenty of traditional bluegrass from artists like Blue Highway, Sister Sadie, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge. Also on the lineup is 14-time Grammy Award winner Dan Tyminski who recently performed at the BMHFM. “If I had to pick a show to abandon the stage, I’d have a hard time directing you,” says Joslin. At ROMP there’s no shortage of music to explore from bluegrass to folk to country and more.
Beyond the fantastic music, you can also get involved in a variety of activities. Take part in workshops, try out yoga, explore the many craft vendors on site, take the kids to the Kids Zone for some family-friendly fun, or take part in the impromptu jam sessions which have become a ROMP tradition. Not to mention, the food and drink vendors are delicious.
“I think what I love most is the variety at ROMP,” says Joslin, “I think that’s why the event has become so successful. It’s really a showcase of everything that’s great about Owensboro.”
When you’re not jamming out at the stage, explore all that Owensboro has to offer beyond the park! Take advantage of the free transportation provided via trolley courtesy of Visit Owensboro. Travel between ROMP and The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Hampton Inn Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront, and the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront. Located just a few miles away, visit Green River Distilling Co. and dive into Owensboro’s rich bourbon history as you try the products. The Green River shuttle will run between ROMP and the distillery throughout the festival. Tours through the distillery provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Kentucky bourbon whiskey is made for just $15! That includes tastings and your transportation. If you want to travel on your own time, Owensboro has Lyft. Large signs will be on the premises to show where you can meet your Lyft – just use the Lyft app to order your ride.
Daily schedules for the weekend have now been released – click here to check it out! ROMP brings nearly 25,000 fans to the park each year, and 2021 will be no different. Join the party this year and ROMP your heart out!