DelFest is a premier music festival featuring bluegrass, roots, and Americana, held each Memorial Day Weekend in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.
Celebrating its namesake – bluegrass legend Del McCoury, DelFest features world-class musical collaborations from some of the best-known names in music, all within a family-friendly atmosphere in the scenic mountainside.
While standing stage side is the given main attraction, did you know that DelFest has many other aspects that make this festival regarded in the music festival market as “one that should not be missed”?
Let us dive into our top five reasons why we love DelFest in Allegany County, Maryland, so much.
1. DEL MCCOURY AND FAMILY:
The man. Skip the myth, because he is a LEGEND! DelFest originated out of celebrating the rich legacy of Del McCoury and the McCoury family’s music. Del and his family begin welcoming festival goers with the DelFest Academy, which opens its doors the days leading up to the festival, and it is not surprising to see Del’s wife, Jean, working the merch tent or Del himself cruising around the grounds in his golf cart, often referred to as the ‘Delmobile.’
2. IT IS FAMILY-FRIENDLY:
Often referred to as a “family reunion” of sorts, DelFest has always had its festival arms open as a family-friendly venue and event. In fact, you most definitely will encounter young kids who will join their parents in proudly announcing that they have been to every DelFest to date. The festival’s Kidzone offers a wide variety of exploratory and interactive activities from hula hooping to face painting and scavenger hunts to water balloon fights.
3. THE TALENT:
This year, we welcome DelFest on its 14th anniversary of the festival. Over the years, a variety of musical talent has graced the festival’s three stages, including Old Crow Medicine Show, The Avett Brothers, Warren Haynes, Chris Robinson, Trey Anastasio Band, Ricky Skaggs, and more. This year’s lineup includes the Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck My Bluegrass Heart, and more. Click here to view the full lineup. Pickin’ continues well into the night and even into the early morning throughout the campsites, but for an after-hours music jam session, be sure to snag tickets to the festival’s Late Night Shows. The DelFest Music Hall features intimate sessions with festival headliners each evening until 2:00 am.
4. IT HAS ITS’ OWN LANGUAGE:
DelFest is a friendly festival experience, where everyone treats you like family. So don’t be surprised when one raises their elbow at you and smiles, nudging you to respond back. That is referred to as a ‘DELbow’ and is the official greeting. If a word contains DEL or just sounds cooler with ‘Del’ added to the beginning, you can be sure the ‘DELtopia’ nation (yes, that refers to festival-goers as a whole) will dream it up and run with it.
5. GO TO PLAY:
One of the very best reasons to visit Allegany County, Maryland, outside of the festival is for their incredible outdoor recreation. So if you find yourself in the mountains, why not make the very most of it? Explore the region by floating the Potomac River, catch a ride on the Tracks and Yaks rail bikes, or bike one of their internationally recognized bike trails, the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage.
Ready to purchase festival tickets and book your stay? Click Here to learn all things DelFest with details on the line-up and ticket sales.
Maryland. Open For It.
