Lake photo by Lola Sherstobitoff
Nestled in the pines on the shores of Medical Lake, Washington, the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival is quite possibly the best summertime bluegrass experience in the Northwest. Since its inception in 2002, Blue Waters has brought some of the biggest names in bluegrass music to the Inland Northwest. With it's pristine location, warm Eastern Washington summer weather, stellar lineup of world-class and regional bands, and bargain-basement price, it's no wonder folks all over the Northwest Bluegrass scene are buzzing about us!!
Blue Waters is an inclusive and family-friendly event. Children under 12 are free with parent or guardian!
Blue Waters is a 501(c)-3 nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers. Our budget is small and depends heavily on the contributions of sponsors and individuals. By becoming a "Friend of the Festival" you can help us keep the cost affordable for other festival-goers and the entertainment quality high for future festivals. Just click the button below to get started.
If you would like information about becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact us at bluewatersbluegrass at gmail dot com.
Jeff Partin (bass), James Kee (guitar), Maddie Denton (fiddle), Cory Walker (banjo), Harry Clark (mandolin)
Saturday - 9:00pm, Sunday - 3:30pm
Bluegrass music may be one of America’s "traditional" styles, but at its heart it has always been wild and spontaneous. The style demands every ounce of facility and intent that each performer can muster— it fires on all cylinders or none at all. Few bands do it as well as East Nash Grass. An ensemble of standout players from a city known for the quality of its musicians, East Nash Grass came by its name and reputation honestly, honing their performance chops night after night on a tiny stage on Music City’s east side. Dedication to a group’s roots and a commitment to hard work are earmarks of great Nashville bands of all kinds, and East Nash Grass exemplifies what it means to be a bluegrass band from Nashville.
The band that would become East Nash Grass began to take shape by chance, as a weekly bluegrass night at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge. The gig leadership changed hands and players came and went over several years, and what started as a loose collection of pickers gradually solidified into a committed group of dedicated bandmates. They quickly became one of the top young bands in bluegrass music, whose members have been highly sought-after as side musicians for the genre’s top stars and hottest bands. Today, whether it’s bluegrass Monday at Dee’s, or the hallowed stage of the Ryman Auditorium, East Nash Grass brings swagger, staggering abilities, and high energy to every performance.
Brandon Godman (fiddle), Laurie Lewis (guitar, fiddle), Hasee Ciaccio (bass), George Guthrie (banjo),
Friday - 9:00pm, Saturday - 8:00pm
In the Fall of 2024, Laurie Lewis received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). The award recognizes her five decades of music-making, and her contributions to bluegrass, Americana and folk music.
Throughout her career, Laurie Lewis has gathered fans and honors for her powerful and emotive voice and her versatile, dynamic songwriting. She is a sought-after recording producer and an equally skilled teacher and mentor. And she is an inspiration and a ground-breaker – across genres, across geography and across gender barriers.
Laurie has shown us how a woman can blend into any part of the classic bluegrass singing trio, and she showed us how a great voice could move fluidly between bluegrass and other types of music. She showed us how a female fiddler could emulate the strength and grit of the early bluegrass musicians. She has shown how a Californian can appeal to traditional bluegrass audiences, as well as winning acclaim in the worlds of Americana and folk music. She has shown us how to lead bands of talented musicians – learning from them while helping them make their best music. And she has shown us how to thrive in a constantly changing musical environment – without ever sacrificing her art.
Megan Cody (guitar, mandolin), Will Pavilonis (bass), Maddie Cody (guitar, banjo)
Saturday - 7:00pm, Sunday - 2:30pm
The Cody Sisters band is the very heart of contemporary acoustic Folk and Bluegrass music in Colorado, the United States and the UK. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies combine to grip the listener. Along with their bass player Will Pavilonis, sisters Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, banjo, vocals) have forged a new sound that has no equivalent match in the acoustic world today.
In May of 2023, The Cody Sisters released their self-titled EP marking a new beginning for the band. It is their first release since parting ways with their former image of "young girls in a family band" and it portrays a sense of maturity and musical understanding that reveals a new dimension to their artistic expression. They set out to explore new sounds and styles while still holding true to their bluegrass roots, and they have done just that. This new music is an invitation to connect, to feel, and to journey together through original lyrics and captivating instrumental arrangements.
The Cody Sisters have a sound that is original, exhilarating, and heartwarming all at the same time. With strong ties to traditional American acoustic music, they continue to stun their audiences both in the US and abroad.
Kaya Juda-Nelson (fiddle), Erik Nielsen (banjo), Mike Hanich (bass), Mack Moore (mandolin), Sean Lodmell (guitar)
Friday - 8:00pm, Saturday - 3:30pm
Blue Point is a five piece Bluegrass Band from beautiful Missoula, MT who have been turning heads throughout the western Montana bluegrass scene for the past couple of years. Blue Point specializes in traditional Bluegrass and Old-Time music, as well as Folk and Americana with a modern twist. Their performances are wildly energetic and heartfelt and just might make you leave your seat to dance, or hold the ones you care about a little tighter. Their repertoire includes everything from classic songs that everyone can sing to, and originals that stem from those deep places within the human condition that we all know and feel.
We are excited to host this talented young band for their debut appearance in the state of Washington as part of our 2025 Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival lineup!
Friday - 7:00pm, Saturday - 4:30pm
Greg and Caridwen Spatz have been playing music together since first meeting in 2000 as instructors at the BC Bluegrass Workshop in Sorrento BC (now Nimblefingers). Founding, core members of the celebrated Washington State acoustic world-music quartet Mighty Squirrel, they are known as well for their stellar, individual fiddle work with the ever popular bands John Reischman and the Jaybirds (Greg) and Prairie Flyer (Caridwen). In addition to playing music together, Caridwen builds and repairs fiddles, and Greg is an acclaimed novelist whose publications have won awards such as the Washington State Book Award.
In 2018 Greg & Caridwen released their first duo project, "All Along the Sea".
Friday 6:00pm
The High Valley Mountain boys emerged from a jam amongst friends in 2012 when they were asked to play for the Inland Northwest Bluegrass Music Association’s monthly showcase. Since then, they have played a handful of Fall Folk Festivals, and other showcases for the INBMA, as well as a stellar set of music at the 2019 Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. That being said, they are one of the more seldom seen bluegrass bands in the area, as they mostly just jam with friends for their own enjoyment. You’re as likely to hear a ripping banjo tune as you are a Grateful Dead or Bob Dylan cover. The band is comprised of Sam Saxton on his specially tuned resophonic guitar, Shaun Thompson Duffy on guitar, Daniel Burdett on banjo, Sam Lyman on mandolin and David Miranda on bass.
Sunday 12:30pm
From folk music with a message, to blues, to children’s music, to instrumentals, Bill and Kathy Kostelec are prolific singer/songwriters in the American roots tradition and known for distinctive vocals and powerful songwriting... "soulful", "powerful", "catchy", and "refreshing" in the words of reviewers. Many songs have been heard on public and community radio through recordings and live shows. They also enjoy playing old folk, country, and blues tunes and have performed at multiple Woody Guthrie tribute shows.
Bill plays guitar, harmonica, and sometimes banjo. Kathy plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and sometimes autoharp. The Blue Ribbon Tea Company has performed at numerous folk festivals and venues, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, and produced six albums (so far).
Saturday 2:30pm
"A little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of fun!"
That pretty much sums up Homebrew Stringband. The band is made up of Gary and Alyse Read singing and playing the bluegrass, Americana and "oldies" songs they grew up with. Gary (guitar, mandolin, vocals) brings his oldies rock while Alyse (bass, banjo, and vocals) pulls in her bluegrass and mountain roots. After moving from Seattle to Spokane, they met Brad Keeler, the third member of the band. He is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter who brings in a great old-time sound as well as blues and bluegrass influences. Between the three of them, you never quite know what musical mix you may get. They like to call their style of music "twisted bluegrass". Always feel free to sing along with them. They love it!
Sunday 1:30pm
Kaleb Dion and Emilie "Emble" Phelps both live in Spokane... sometimes. They travel long distances across vast territories to play with musicians from home. Kaleb graduated with a bachelors in Bluegrass Music from East Tennessee University and teaches banjo at Rock School Northwest. Em has toured singing and fiddling with bluegrass bands out of Bozeman, MT and is pursuing a masters degree in Music Education.
Kaleb and Em are joined by massively talented enigmatic musicians. They don't know who they are or where they came from.
All performances will take place rain or shine!
| Friday | |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm |
Open Mic! Sign up at the front gate on Friday after noon. |
| 6:00pm | High Valley Mountain Boys |
| 7:00pm | Greg & Caridwen Spatz |
| 8:00pm | Blue Point |
| 9:00pm | Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands |
| Saturday | |
|---|---|
| 1:30pm | Youth Camp & Instructors |
| 2:30pm | Homebrew Stringband |
| 3:30pm | Blue Point |
| 4:30pm | Greg & Caridwen Spatz |
| 5:30pm | Dinner break |
| 7:00pm | The Cody Sisters |
| 8:00pm | Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands |
| 9:00pm | East Nash Grass |
| Sunday | |
|---|---|
| 12:30pm | Blue Ribbon Tea Company |
| 1:30pm | Friends Again |
| 2:30pm | The Cody Sisters |
| 3:30pm | East Nash Grass |
"Blue Camp" is a two day music workshop offered by the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival to youth ages 20 and under, regardless of musical ability. Students on any of the standard bluegrass instruments -- guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and bass -- are welcome. Over the course of the two days the students will be instructed on some basic tunes and bluegrass jamming conventions and etiquette. Blue Camp culminates with an onstage showcase opportunity. Participants work with top notch, inspiring bluegrass musicians who give them something new and exciting to take away from their experience.
To register or learn more, click the link below to go to the online registration form:
Blue Waters offers two camping areas:
Please note that a weekend festival pass is required of all campers! Weekend camping passes will be available online or at the festival gate.
Absolutely no campers, popups, etc. will be allowed in the lower parking lot or camping area! Sleeping in vehicles is allowed, but no camping activities are allowed in the lower lot. This is a city mandate which is out of our control. See the FAQ for additional information about camping.
For those that need a full service RV site, there are some other options nearby:
For those out-of-town guests who are not interested in camping, there are several quality hotels within a short drive of the festival. We encourage you to check out the establishments below. Several of these hotels have become friends and sponsors of our festival and we can wholeheartedly recommend their establishments.
Medical Lake, WA is located just west of Spokane, WA. Waterfront Park is on State Highway 902 just south of Medical Lake, WA, about 15 minutes west of Spokane, and about 3 1/2 hours east of Seattle. The park is enclosed by a canopy of tall ponderosa pines, providing cool shade for those warm and sunny Eastern Washington days.
Note to Travelers: The Spokane-Medical Lake area is on the dry side of the Cascades. A national magazine rated Spokane's summer climate as second best in the nation. Days are normally dry with temperatures in the 80's or low 90's. Nights are cool and you might need a light sweater for late jamming.
Northbound and southbound travelers should get onto I-90 and head East or West as the case may be and take the appropriate exit indicated above.
Washington State has closed the West Medical lake Resort and the area is fenced off; there is no camping or RV services anymore. Parking West Medical Lake will be limited to the main lot (which requires a Discover Pass permit) or along the roadside. We will continue to monitor and serve the area with golf cart transportation to/from the festival site.
Volunteers are an essential part of the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. We are so fortunate to have a large group of generous, enthusiastic, friendly, and hard working volunteers. The volunteers are the first to greet visitors when they arrive, and set the tone for a fun filled weekend.
If you are interested in being a part of our volunteer team, click the link below to download our volunteer form:
In addition to all the fine music during the weekend, folks can get some great eats and browse through our crafts vendor area. We limit the number of unique food vendors so each unit has a chance to do well for the weekend; craft vendors have prime space and all are welcome! All the vendors are outside the festival fence line, so anyone using the park has access which contributes to your success!
Vendors wishing to register should download the form below and use the button to pay the appropriate fee, or contact us for more information.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Lawn chair/blanket, swimsuit, sweater, sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, food and drinks
(no glass), instruments for jamming/workshop, money/credit card for Blue Waters/band
merchandise and vendors, friends and family, and a smile.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic food, although we also have plenty of food
vendors. There are picnic tables available near the back of the viewing area.
Please do not bring high-back chairs or umbrellas or anything that might restrict the viewing
of folks behind you.
Q: How early can we begin camping at the festival site?
A: Blue Waters RV camping begins on Thursday and your camping pass reserves your site through
Monday morning. You may camp prior to Thursday, but for these nights camping fees must be
paid directly to the City of Medical Lake.
Tent camping is only available after 10am on Thursday as the City watering system will run
through Weds night and the ground will be wet.
Q: Can camping sites be reserved?
A: Camping sites are available on a first-come first-served basis. We cannot reserve a site for
you, however, every camping pass guarantees a site for you. We will not sell more camping passes
than sites available.
Q: Will tent campers have their car at the campsite?
A: Generally no. The tent camping area is close to the lower parking lot. A few tent sites are
adjacent to the lot, while others are a short walk. Golf carts can assist campers by helping to
bring gear to the camp site.
Q: Is there shade?
A: Some of the tent camping sites are very shady, but the RV lot is not, especially after the
damage from the 2023 wildfire. In the festival grounds the shade moves during the day. The
shadiest areas are in the rear towards the pavilion behind the seating area.
Q: Are pets allowed at the festival?
A: Pets are not allowed within the festival grounds but leashed pets are allowed in the
camping areas and Waterfront Park grounds according to City laws. Service animals are allowed
inside the festival grounds.
Q: Do children need a festival pass?
A: Children under 12 are free with their parents.
Q: Do I need a weekend/day pass to watch the Youth Camp performance?
A: We hope fans of the youth camp are also fans of bluegrass so we would appreciate you
supporting the festival and purchasing a ticket.
