Frankfort Bluegrass Festival Holds Spring Fundraiser On Friday

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort Bluegrass Fest organizers will hold its spring fundraiser at CD & Me on Friday to support this summer's free Frankfort Bluegrass Festival.

At the spring fundraiser, three bands will showcase the sound of bluegrass in the botanic gardens at CD & Me. The indoor/outdoor event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the venue, 23320 S. La Grange Road.

The Grateful String Band, Miles Over Mountains, and Fox Crossing Stringband will all perform at the fundraiser.

The award-winning Frankfort Bluegrass Festival is set for July 8 and July 9. The festival, held on Breidert Green, was paused for two years during the coronavirus pandemic, but returned in 2022.

Support from sponsors and grassroots fundraising remain vital to hosting the free festival.

“CD & Me and our supporters allow us to keep our pledge to bring free, top quality, award-winning bluegrass acts to Frankfort every summer to showcase this truly American music,” said Amanda Thompson, a fest coordinator.

“International recognition raised expectations just before a pandemic altered all our lives,” Steve Haberichter, founder of the fest and participating musician, said in a release. "We are reared back and ready to surge forward. The level of musicianship we recruit will never waver and our audiences know that."

Advance tickets for the fundraiser are $40, or $45 at the door, and include entertainment, food and beverages courtesy of sponsors Blue Island Beer Company and Trails Edge Brewery for beer tastings, while CD&Me features fully stocked cash bars. There will also be raffles and split the pot opportunities. Food is courtesy of the Frankfort Restaurant Association.