Festival Highlights & Photos

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Songwriter Rounds: This year's festival has 2 Songwriter Rounds. Each will feature 4 artists presenting original material (see the schedule for the lineup).

Young Performer Showcase & Programs

We are incredibly proud of how much our Young Performer Program, under Laura Jo Julian's guidance, has grown. Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes to expand and strengthen this program!

The Saturday afternoon Young Performer Showcase gives those ready to take the stage an opportunity to perform in this popular and much-anticipated event. This year’s Showcase features six acts and runs from 4:00–7:00 p.m. on the Azalea Stage.

Young performers also have many other opportunities throughout the weekend, including open mics, song rounds, and workshops. Be sure to check out the “Write a Song Collaboration,” which is open to all young performers. They will perform the song they create together on the Magnolia Stage at approximately 5:15 p.m. as part of our Sunday festival wrap-up.

Check the Shooting Star Stage schedule for the complete lineup of young performer activities throughout the weekend.

Mona's Kid's Corner:  Saturday from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. in the playground area near Magnolia Stage. Activities may include face painting, Lego building challenge, Puppets, Tug of War Rematch, and a 3 p.m. hayride.  For the younger set or the "Young at Heart" set.  

Saturday Night Family Dance returns again this year.  The dance takes place in the Azalea Stage area immediately after the Young Performer Showcase. This year's caller, to be announced, will conduct an instruction portion before the dance starts, so be brave and give it a whirl. The Dunehoppers will provide live music for the dance. 

"Acoustic Under the Oaks" is a more casual acoustic presentation with no sound system. It will run from 12 pm - 6:45 pm on Saturday in Workshop 1 area behind the Magnolia Stage. The line-up varies from solo acts to bands. Stop by, pull up a chair, and enjoy this all-acoustic setting, “Under The Oaks”.

“Old Time Gathering” will be active all 3 days with a focus on “Old Time Music”. You’ll find performances, mentoring, jams, and workshops in that area. Jams and workshops are open to any festival attendee, so bring your instrument. 

Workshops, Song Circles & Jams are open to anybody at the festival. These occur throughout the weekend, and official ones are listed on the schedule.

An Open Mic happens Friday evening on the Azalea stage around 8:45 after the last act finishes. For those late-night folks, check out “Cypress Stage After Hours”. It is an informal setting that involves open mics, jams, and occasional showcases.

Sunday starts early for those so inclined with a "Gospel Sing Along" in the Workshop 1 area hosted by Art Crummer at 10:00 am. Things wrap up on Sunday with an hour hosted by Amy Carol Webb. Amy's hour includes various artists and the presentation of an original song that our Young Performers write during the festival weekend. 

The festival closes with the "Hour of Power", a presentation of 5 or 6 Will McLean songs performed by different artists and a finale with all festival performers joining in to sing "Hold Back the Waters".

Hope you enjoy this year’s festival!   Thanks for supporting “live music”

The Will McLean Foundation

Festival Photo Gallery