The first annual Kaw River Roots Festival will celebrate roots music and culture this weekend in downtown Lawrence.
The headlining band will be The Travelin’ McCourys, who won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2019. There will be four stages featuring more than two dozen bands playing live, with doors opening at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 and at 1 p.m. Saturday at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. Local vendors will be on hand to sell craft beer, spirits and food.
The festival will wrap up with performances by Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and The Travelin’ McCourys at The Bottleneck from 10:45 p.m. Saturday into the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the stage schedule.
Attendees will need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours to enter, according to a news release from the festival. Free rapid COVID testing will be provided at the event. Mask-wearing is encouraged.
According to the release, the massive lineup also includes the following: The Kitchen Dwellers, Fireside Collective, Opal Agafia, Julian Davis & The Situation, Kyle Tuttle’s All Stars, Kelly Hunt, Circus No. 9, Sky Smeed, Short Round Stringband, Chain Station, Unfit Wives, Karis Waltman + Julian Davis, Dewayn Brothers, Spencer & Rains, Lily B Moonflower, Sally & The Hurts, Elexa Dawson Trio, Old Fangled, Cowtown Country Club, and artists at-large Kyle Tuttle and Max Paley.
Two-day general admission passes, single-day tickets and late-night tickets are available on the festival’s website, kawriverroots.com. See the full stage schedule at this link.
Follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
