Babylon Notebook: A Bluegrass Celebration

The Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and the Town of Babylon are providing residents with a rare opportunity to enjoy eight hours of bluegrass music from some of Long Island’s best-known musicians and vocalists.

The ninth annual Long Island Bluegrass Festival, taking place Saturday, August 20 at in Copiague, offers a blue-ribbon list of entertainers, including The Special Consensus, Buddy Merriam and the Back Roads, Nate Leath and Danny Knicely, Vincent Cross and Good Company, The Long Island Bluegrass Quartet, Foggy Mountain Hilton, Free Grass Union and Mike Burns.

The , which will run from noon to 8 p.m., also features a special tribute to Bill Monroe, known as the father of bluegrass music. Tickets are $10 for adults, and the event is free to children younger than 12.

But it’s not just music on stage during the day. The Children’s Stage area will offer Katie’s Puppets, Mike Soloway and Jack Licitra.

In addition, several instrument workshops will take place on the Long Island Tradition Music Association stage focusing on the mandolin, banjo, fiddle and guitar.

The festival, presented by BACCA and the town, also features food vendors, and will be held rain or shine. Attendees are urged to bring their own chairs, but to leave pets and alcohol beverages at home as neither are permitted. Parking is free.