The Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival just may be Alaska's biggest music bash, with dozens of mostly local performers, three days of nonstop toe-tapping, and thousands of Alaskans who've shown up at the annual extravaganza in the past 27 years. The festival may also be Alaska's biggest campout, held under open skies in all kinds of unpredictable weather, with fans taking breaks from the show around campfires and in sleeping bags, tents, bivy sacks and even Winnebagos. Because it's held out of doors -- and in a fairly remote location -- the scene is more casual than, say, a concert in Carnegie Hall.

 
 
Talkeetna-bluegrass-and-music-festival

This is the big enchilada, with extra sauce. Hippies all over the state quit their jobs just so they can caravan up or down the Parks Highway to Alaska’s most-popular festival. This year’s lineup includes Jake Matson, the best bluesman to ever grace the Last Frontier. You can also catch Gangly Moose, Coho, James Prewit, Arment Hammer, Rumblefish, Nervis Rex, Bucket O’ Bolts, Mosaic, Rising Dogs, Andy Baker, Mo Betta Blues, Johnny with Spoonerism, Killer Rabbit – and more. There will be security checkpoints, so keep the drugs, alcohol and firearms at home (or extremely well hidden). Entry fee includes camping

Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival
When: Noon to midnight today, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Mile 102 Parks Highway, Talkeetna
How much: $35 for three-day pass, $10 for Sunday pass, free for seniors and ages 11 and younger. Pass includes camping.
Included: Free showers; family-friendly camping area; drinking water; RV dump site; upgraded parking lot.
Not allowed: Drugs; carry-in alcohol (alcohol only allowed in beer garden and private camping areas); fireworks; firearms; off-leash pets; pets in main festival area; fires outside fire pits; loud radios.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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