Route 23 Bluegrass Festival

10/12/2026

When it comes to Ohio Valley Bluegrass, the Rudy Fest Bluegrass Festival set the standard for years.

Bluegrass music fans in the region and beyond owe a debt of gratitude to Vic Adams, Chris “Twitch” Bradford, Rudy Burchett, Tom Carper, Leroy Walker, and all the people who played a role in that great festival.

Bluegrass music simply would not be the same in the Ohio Valley, and festivals like ours and many others propped up because of the growth of the music here based on the tremendous commitment these people made to bluegrass.

Although it is sad to see Rudy Fest write a final chapter, it cannot be lost that it was one hell of a good read.

Official Announcement from Rudy Fest

After 25 incredible years, we have some bittersweet news to share with our Rudy Fest family.

Please take a moment to read this heartfelt letter from Rudy, Tom, and Leroy.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 25 years of music, memories, and unwavering support.

Simply the Best. Always.

10/08/2026

Thanks to the Pike County Chamber of Commerce for putting on another great golf tournament!

The Route 23 Bluegrass Festival team of Seth Carkeek, Tom Monroe, Kennedy Roseberry and Rick Greene had a respectable showing.

However, we’ve decided that we should not put on any golf clinics.

;)

09/21/2026

Be sure to check out this show from our friend Bill Roe.

09/19/2026

This Ol’ Place Is Home To Me from Tidalwave Road
https://bluegrasstoday.com/this-ol-place-is-home-to-me-from-tidalwave-road/

09/17/2026

The world of bluegrass music is filled with people who try to help one another in an effort to grow and foster the music and the industry.

We’ve lost one of those people in the extraordinary Darrel Adkins. With his wife Phyllis - along with their team at the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) - they had an amazing mission that provided support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

I spent a lot of time talking about bluegrass and getting his opinion on the details that made a great festival, and he was always generous with him time and wise in his approach to put on a professional event.

I was joking around with him at his festival near Columbus at Hoover Park several years ago when it was blistering hot. I asked him if he could turn the temperature down, and he fired back with a smile and a laugh … “You know by now that you’d rather have it dripping off of them than dripping on them.”

Darrel will be missed for a lot of reasons because he found so many ways to help people and help the industry. He will be remembered as one of the all-time most influential promoters in Ohio and all of bluegrass music.

Condolences to his wife Phyllis, the Adkins family, and all those associated with the outstanding and historic MACC festival.

He will be missed, but not forgotten.

- Rick Greene

09/14/2026

We’re really happy for our friend.

Enough said.

I'm still in shock over this, y'all. Don't even know what to say, really. Just THANK YOU. So much to be grateful for these days, and you can be sure - I am. 🙏❤️

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAMMY-WINNING FIDDLER JIM VANCLEVE TO BE INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL FIDDLER HALL OF FAME OCTOBER 4 IN BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

The Appalachian Road Show Co-Founder Returns to the Mountains That Shaped His Music for Special Induction Ceremony and Concert at the Historic Appalachian Theatre.

Details are in the comments if you want to know more! Thanks so much, everybody! 😊

09/08/2026

Simply, thank you everyone.

On behalf of Rick Greene, we would like to thank everyone who makes the festival possible, including our presenting sponsor Garage B**r and our many sponsors and partners, artists, volunteers, and the best fans in bluegrass who made the 2026 Route 23 Bluegrass Festival a tremendous success!

Special thanks to Pike County Sheriff Tracy Evans, Jim Snodgrass, and all of our friends at the Pike County Sheriff’s Office for providing security, keeping everyone safe and organizing the Stormy Golf Cart Parade.

Special thanks also to Brandon Greene, Mary Conley and all our friends at the Pike County Senior Fair Board who took care of festival camping and other services, our friends at Dogwood Hills Golf Course, our Route 23 Hop and festival preview locations, Beast & Bottle which provided exceptional VIP food services, our vendors who made sure great food was available throughout the festival, Luxury Entertainment for the shuttle and photo booth, and Haley Bays whose unbelievable artwork added a special touch.

Special thanks also to the many talented performers who showcased their abilities in extraordinary fashion, Seth Carkeek for his excellent emcee work, and our national anthem singers. Special thanks to our production team - Keith Keeran, Bub Porter and the team at Soundwave Productions, John Griffiths with Studimo Productions, Dustin Creekmore with Creekmore Lighting and Supply, and Sherwin Kidd and Billy Cantrell who provided critical support in the Multi-Purpose Building and Garage B**r Garden.

Special thanks to A.J. Pritchett and his team for their work at the Garage B**r Garden, Sawyer Adams for his video and multimedia work, Sport ‘n’ Shoes for merchandise support, and Total Media and our many media partners.

Of course, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the many volunteers and staff who quietly do things behind the scenes to pull the festival together. The Route 23 Road Crew was unbelievable.

We are proud of our festival and proud of our hard-working team.

Thank you all and we’ll see everyone back in Piketon in 2027. We’ve had nearly 100 campers reserve their 2027 spots, and if you’d like to keep yours or secure a reservation for next year, call (740) 547-9059 or (740) 648-8719.

If you’d like your business or organization to become involved with this widely supported community event, please contact Rick Greene at (740) 547-9059.

Thank you everyone.

It’s a wrap, and we’ll see you down the road.

09/08/2026

❤️ HONORING THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US ❤️

As the Route 23 Bluegrass Festival comes to a close, we want to take a moment to remember and honor those who have gone before us.

Twitch. Styx. Dolly Parton. Ronnie Bowman.

Their names, their music, their friendships, and the memories they helped create will always be a part of this bluegrass family.

Festivals like this are about more than the music on the stage. They’re about the people we meet, the friendships we make, and the memories that stay with us long after the final note is played.

As we close out an incredible weekend, we raise our hearts to those who couldn’t be here with us. Gone, but never forgotten. ❤️

Thank you for the memories, the music, and the legacy you left behind.

Until we meet again.

09/06/2026

🤘 CHANGING THE PACE WITH SOME ROCK ’N’ ROLL! 🎸🔥

We’re turning up the volume at the Route 23 After Party as FELONY 4 takes the stage! After a weekend packed with incredible bluegrass, it’s time to crank the amps and rock out! 🤘

The party is still rolling in Piketon — come hang with us and finish the weekend LOUD! 🎶🔥