WinterWonderGrass, a bluegrass music festival and beer tasting event held in Palisades, is ramping up for its eighth year. The program, led by Scotty Stoughton (the founder, janitor, and financier of the festival), will bring 25 bluegrass artists to the mountains for a three-day weekend, hosted April 5-7. It's the local iteration of a festival that started in Stoughton's home state of Colorado, and to this day only the two linked events exist.
“I just hope to instill in people that have never been that it’s not necessarily about the bands or the brewers, it’s about creating a space where everyone feels kind of connected and honored and seen,” Stoughton says. “You feel this incredible energy that’s created by people that are so excited to be there.”
The family friendly event includes three heated tasting tents open from 2-5 p.m., and three rotating bands creating the day’s soundtrack. It offers a choose-your-own-adventure style where guests can pass from tent to tent to see their favorite artists, 12 of which are new to WonderGrass this year (and 13 that have played the event before).
Once the tastings end, the main outdoor stage opens up, offering four places to take in tunes until 10 p.m. The energy is late-night New Orleans—a little funky, a little moody, but with a backdrop that welcomes the best artist of all to do its work, Mother Nature. After all, where else can you listen to live music surrounded by snowfall?
“You can meet and mingle and it’s just a wonderful way to connect,” Stoughton says. “You leave feeling more inspired and healthier than when you arrived.”
For 2024, there was a lot of emphasis put on bettering the tasting program. In addition to beers from Sierra Nevada Brewing and nearly 20 other vendors, there is also a winery and spirits company joining the mix. The other main focus is on sustainability, creating beauty in a place while simultaneously inspiring others to help that beauty persevere.
As for music, Stoughton is excited to welcome back Paul Cauthen— “that guy puts on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen”—and The Devil Makes Three from Santa Cruz, as well as welcoming newcomer Sierra Ferrell. “Anytime an artist comes for the first time it’s just amazing to watch their reaction.”
Tickets are available at winterwondergrass.com.
2024 Music Line-up
Check out the bluegrass bands committed to play this year's WinterWonderGrass festival in Palisades. Groups represent both local acts and out-of-area musicians and music will be played across four total stages including both outdoor and tented venues across all three days of the festival.
Sierra Ferrell
The Devil Makes Three
Paul Cauthen
The Infamous Stringdusters
Kitchen Dwellers
Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Sierra Hull
The Lil Smokies
Mighty Poplar
Lindsay Lou
Sam Grisman Project
WinterWonderWomen
Pickin’ on the Dead
Diggin Dirt
Tejon Street Corner Thieves
Two Runner
Clay Street Unit
Shadowgrass
Boot Juice
Caltucky
Broken Compass Bluegrass
RiverWonderGrass All-Stars