Common Ground on the Hill

09/09/2026

Here's a don't-miss event from Upperco Music Festival! This is a fantastic festival and camping venue. Get your tickets now - and look for us there! A little birdie says you'll want to take note because we're going to be partnering with them on some fantastic programming soon - keep an eye out for the announcement!🤩🎻🎶🦌

⛺️Camping begins September 21
🎶🪕Music begins September 23
ARE YOU READY?
Secure your tickets soon!
Here are all of the details!

Four incredible days of world-class bluegrass, camping, great food, friends, workshops and unforgettable memories… and this year’s lineup is absolutely stacked!

🎶 Featuring:
🪕 Authentic Unlimited Band
🪕 The Kody Norris Show
🪕 The Po' Ramblin' Boys
🪕 Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
🪕 Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass
🪕 Big Country Bluegrass
🪕 Williamson Branch
🪕 Nothin’ Fancy
🪕 ironwooddriveband
🪕 The Mayo Family Band
🪕 Danny Stewart & The Chiggers
🪕 Jeff Dillard Bluegrass Band
🪕 The Carroll County Ramblers
🪕 Hammer Creek Bluegrass

💥 That’s 14 incredible bands bringing some of the best bluegrass in the country to Upperco!

🎟️ Tickets:
https://uppercovolunteerfirecompany.ticketspice.com/upperco-music-festival-2026

Gather your friends, bring your chairs, pack your camping gear, and get ready for four days of amazing music and memories.

We can’t wait to see you! 💙🎻

09/08/2026

Wow - congratulations to David Morris, past Traditions Week instructor, former CGOTH board member and founder of the Common Ground on the Hill Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest! His song "Tenth Day of September", written with the late John Miller, and performed by Dave Adkins, is at the top of the Roots Music Report's Top 50 Bluegrass Song Chart! See the chart here: https://www.rootsmusicreport.com/charts/view/song/genre/bluegrass/weekly and take a listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSFpm2mtAQ4

Dave Adkins - "Tenth Day Of September"Written by David Morris and ...

08/28/2026

It's back to school and back to JAMS! 1st Wednesday Jams return on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster, MD! Join us from 7-9 PM for blues/folk, Celtic and bluegrass/old-time jams. All ages, all skill levels, all instruments are welcome, as well as listeners and singers. 🎻🎶😍

Complete jam schedule online at https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/experience/programs-and-workshops/jams/jams

08/19/2026

Traditions Week instructor and Veterans Initiative member Jose Flores in the news! Congratulations, Jose!

His podcast focuses on stories of faith, resilience, culture and perseverance, giving veterans and civilians a platform to talk about their lives and experiences.

08/04/2026

If you're looking for some fantastic bluegrass, look no further than the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival on August 13-16! The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival is an annual sponsor of the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention, providing a spot for the Bluegrass Band winner every year. This year's winner, Long Acre Hollow, will be part of this stellar event. Get your tickets now! https://www.gettysburgbluegrass.com/august-festival/schedule/

07/17/2026

Congratulations to this year's International Bluegrass Music Association Awards nominees! What a fantastic slate, and some faces familiar to our Common Ground on the Hill community. We're looking forward to announcements of the winners with great anticipation.

07/17/2026

Celebrate our Visual Arts Director, Linda Van Hart, at Off Track Art! Linda has been the Common Ground on the Hill Visual Arts since the beginning and has built an incredible visual arts component of Traditions Weeks. She is leaving Westminster - but NOT Common Ground on the Hill! Make sure you stop by Off Track Art to wish Linda well with her move - and make a note on your calendar to come to Traditions Weeks 2027 to see and learn from this master artist and dear friend to Common Ground on the Hill!

Off Track Art is thrilled to invite you to the opening of Art 'Round Town at the Carroll Arts Center!

Join us Thursday, July 23, from 5:00–7:00 PM for the opening reception of this wonderful community exhibition featuring original artwork by local and regional artists—featuring the talented members of Off Track Art.

This year's reception is especially meaningful as we celebrate and honor our dear friend and Off Track Art partner, Linda Van Hart. Linda has been a driving force in our creative community, inspiring artists through her talent, generosity, and unwavering support.

As we celebrate her remarkable contributions, we'll also be wishing her all the best as she begins an exciting new chapter in North Carolina. While we'll miss her deeply, her creativity, friendship, and legacy will always be part of Off Track Art.

Come enjoy an evening of art, fellowship, and celebration. We'd love to see you there!

Carroll Arts Center
Thursday, July 23
5:00–7:00 PM
Free and open to the public

Art brings us together—and this evening will be one to remember. ❤️🎨