The 2025 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival wrapped up five unforgettable days of music, sunset, and community this past weekend at the scenic Walsh Farm in the Great Northern Catskills. With picture-perfect weather and music fans from more than 30 states and a dozen countries, this year’s festival was one of the most successful to date.
over fifty bands, the weekend was packed with unforgettable moments. Headliners like The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush, The California Honeydrops, I’m With Her, Sierra Hull, and Steep Canyon Rangers delivered exciting performances for thousands of campers and day trippers. Fans enjoyed special events including the Wednesday Night Kick-Off at the Catskill Dance Stage and Thursday’s visit from New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey, who warmly welcomed attendees to the region and launched Main Stage festivities by introducing Americana singer-songwriter, Lindsay Lou.
As always, each day at Grey Fox began with guided meditation and yoga, followed by traditional dance instruction to get bodies moving and spirits lifted. The midway offered something for everyone—fresh festive foods, libations, artisan crafts, unique clothiers, and master luthiers showcasing custom-made stringed instruments. Kids enjoyed a full slate of activities including tie-dyeing, square dancing, live concerts, puppet shows, a ventriloquist, movies under the stars, and a highly acclaimed kids’ music camp. Meanwhile, volunteers from Community Action of Greene County collected food donations throughout the weekend as part of the festival’s commitment to giving back.
Friday was an international mix of show-stopping sets by JigJam (Ireland), Cécilia (Quebec), Le Winston Band (Montreal), Larry and Joe (Venezuela), Campbell/Jensen (UK), and Johnny and The Youahoos (Germany). One of many highlights on Saturday was a heartfelt Woodstock Celebration in Memory of Happy Traum featuring John Sebastian, Cindy Cashdollar, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Sam Bush and others.
The festival’s GRAMMY-winning 2025 Artist-in-Residence, Woody Platt, was everywhere—appearing on all six stages, sitting in with numerous artists, and even performing with the Bluegrass Academy for Kids. Musical collaborations are a hallmark of Grey Fox with many artists from various bands unexpectedly sitting in with each other.
The festival wrapped up Sunday with a gospel set by host band, Dry Branch Fire Squad followed by the All-Festival Band Farewell—with artists, fans, and staff playing and singing iconic bluegrass songs together before going their separate ways. Festival organizers are already planning next year’s celebration of bluegrass, roots music and community—a year round labor of love. Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival returns July 15–19, 2026, to Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY. Tickets will go on sale in August.
Each July, Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY is transformed into a community of happy campers, day trippers, artists, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers who love bluegrass, Cajun, Zydeco, Celtic, and other forms of roots music.
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