Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival

Shady Grove is one of the longest running music festivals in Alberta. Started in 1990 by the Late Ken Wishart and wife, Rosemary, it was held for the first three years on their property in the small town of Nanton. Ken and Rosemary played, loved and embraced traditional bluegrass and made that the theme for the festival; a theme which remains firmly in place to this day. In 1993 it moved to Broadway farm, an event farm just east of Nanton, and this venue has made it truly unique. The main stage has always been in an enclosed pavilion the owners called “The Blue Sky Pavillion”, so patrons are high and dry if it’s raining, but if the sun is shining, as it mostly does the third weekend of August, the roof retracts to allow the glorious sun to shine in.
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The festival was operated as a non-profit organization by committee until 2006, and was dormant for two years until Foothills Bluegrass Music Society of Calgary stepped in to rejuvenate it in 2009.
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Over the years, this festival has supported both local and high profile touring performers.

This year we welcome
Mile Twelve
The Foghorn Stringband
Old Growth Quartet
Story House
The Lonesome Town Painters
Go Ask Earl
Magnolia Buckskin
The Bugs

The quality and presentation of talent has always been top notch, and the volunteers make it run smooth as silk. Combine this with the charm and uniqueness of Broadway Farm and it becomes one of the most unusual musical venues one would hope to find.
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There is ample unserviced camping space and a family run food concession. Gates open at noon on Friday with first music after supper, then all day Saturday and closes by dinner on Sunday.