Folk music’s most anticipated festival returns with a full weekend of performances by seasoned musicians and the best up-and-coming artists.
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival celebrates bluegrass, folk, and Americana as well as honors Florida native and longtime St. Augustine resident Gamble Rogers, widely beloved for his ability to seamlessly thread storytelling into his musical performances.
The 28th Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival will feature 81 artists performing on four stages. It will be held from April 12 to 14 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds located at 5840 on State Road 207 in Elkton.
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is not just for folk enthusiasts; it is for musicians.
Intimate performances across four stages are balanced with workshops that encourage and advance the art of bluegrass, folk, and Americana.
A hallmark of the festival is its inclusion of local and young artists. Always one to inspire the future generation of songwriters and performers, Gamble Roger’s influence will be on full display as the most promising young musicians take to the YoungFolk Stage.
Headlining acts will perform on the main stage, with supporting acts on The Picker’s Stage and Gamble’s Living Room.
Musicians and enthusiasts alike can learn more about their craft at The Workshop Stage, where the festival performers provide a variety of interactive workshops.
Topics include the Secrets of Songwriting, Mandolin for Everybody, and Herstory: Women in Music. There will also be a special Baby Grand Theatre Presentation of “Gamble Rogers: Down At The Terminal Tavern” at 5:30 p.m. on April 12 and 13.
Performances begin at 5 p.m. on April 12 on The Main Stage and Gamble’s Living Room and 11 a.m. on the weekend on all five stages.
Great news for ticket buyers through the end of March, is that the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is offering a special “spring fling” discounted ticket price through March 31. Residents can get 30 percent off using the promo code “Spring.”
Advance purchase general admission tickets through March 31 are $70 for the full three-day festival, April or priced individually at $24.50 for April 12, $45.50 for the full-day on April 13, and $24.50 for the full-day on April 14.
Starting April 1st, regular ticket prices will return to $100 for the weekend, $35 for Friday night, $65 for Saturday all day/night, and $35 all day for Sunday, April 14th.
At-the-gate general admission tickets are $120 for the full three-day festival or, priced individually, $40 to $70.
Children 16 and younger are free throughout the event, and tent camping and RV sites are available for festivalgoers as well.
On-site showers and restrooms are available for all campers. Tent sites are $30 for the weekend, RV sites are $100 for the weekend, and RV Overflow Parking is $75 for the 3-day festival.
Food trucks, local artisans, craft vendors, activities for kids, workshops, and more will be on-site for delicious bites, shopping, and fun.
Well-behaved and leashed pets are also welcome, while blankets, hammocks, and chairs to relax and revel in the mastery of the wonderful tradition of folk music are allowed.