Crowned the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Event of the Year, Earl Scruggs Music Festival returned to Tryon International in Mill Spring, NC for its fifth annual celebration, drawing record crowds for a landmark long weekend of bluegrass, roots and Americana music.
Tickets Now on Sale for Earl Scruggs Music Festival 2027 (September 3-5)
Click Here to View and Download Photo Highlights from the Weekend
“A must-do festival for bluegrass fans…from its inception, the folks behind the Earl Scruggs Music Festival have made it their aim to honor the world’s most acclaimed banjo innovator each year by featuring acts that bring the spirit and energy of Scruggs.” ––Saving Country Music
“Five years in, the Earl Scruggs Music Festival has grown into a major North Carolina weekend for bluegrass and roots music.” ––North State Journal
Sept. 8, 2026 (MILL SPRING, NC)––Earl Scruggs Music Festival concluded its milestone fifth annual event this weekend, drawing a record turnout to the stunning grounds of Tryon International in Mill Spring, NC, just minutes from the Cleveland County birthplace of the legendary three-finger banjo innovator Earl Scruggs. Across three unforgettable days, the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Event of the Year featured world-class musical performances, thought-provoking live interviews, inspiring youth showcases, and unique add-on experiences, including the newly unveiled Spirits of Bluegrass whiskey experience, family-friendly activities, jam circles, and much more.
Now in its fifth year, Earl Scruggs Music Festival continues to honor the extraordinary legacy of its namesake, whose revolutionary approach to the banjo helped reshape American music and carried bluegrass far beyond its traditional boundaries. Across a career spanning nearly seven decades, Scruggs collaborated with some of the most influential artists of his generation, from bluegrass legends to icons of folk, country, and rock, while inspiring countless musicians who followed in his groundbreaking footsteps. That enduring influence was on full display throughout this year’s festival, which brought together artists who knew and performed alongside Scruggs with a new generation of musicians carrying his spirit of innovation forward.
Among those standout moments were the iconic North Carolina-bred outfit The Avett Brothers –– whose unbridled energy and fierce showmanship made for an electrifying Sunday night finale brimming with raucous singalongs and emotional catharsis. Earlier in the weekend, banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck brought his star-studded My Bluegrass Heart ensemble to the Flint Hill stage for a masterclass in boundary-pushing bluegrass, unparalleled musicianship and improvisational prowess. The Earls of Leicester paid loving tribute to the foundational sound of Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, bringing Scruggs’ music to life with the precision and reverence of musicians who understand its place in bluegrass history. Bluegrass legend Del McCoury, who performed alongside Scruggs throughout his own storied career, further connected the festival to its namesake’s remarkable legacy with a performance that underscored the enduring power of the music they helped shape. Greensky Bluegrass brought their own genre-bending approach to the weekend, while a new generation of artists including Mountain Grass Unit, Jacoozy and East Nash Grass demonstrated that the spirit of innovation Scruggs championed remains alive and well, pushing bluegrass into exciting new territory.
A major highlight of the milestone weekend was the unveiling of the brand-new Louise Scruggs Stage, a new platform honoring the pioneering woman behind Earl Scruggs’ groundbreaking career and legacy while exemplifying how the festival continues to grow and expand each year. Named for Earl’s wife, manager, and longtime business partner, the stage celebrates Louise’s lasting influence on bluegrass and the music industry at large. Alison Brown, the festival’s 2026 Artist in Residence and the 2025 honoree of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, helped inaugurate the new stage alongside a slate of performances throughout the weekend. “She’s the most recent honoree of the Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum with the Country Music Hall of Fame, and an incredible musician and businesswoman and advocate of bluegrass music,” said Mary Beth Martin, Executive Director of the Earl Scruggs Center. “There’s really no one better than Alison to help us kick off that stage.”
Beyond the music, Earl Scruggs Music Festival offers an immersive destination experience that takes full advantage of the exceptional amenities at Tryon International. Attendees can settle in for the weekend with on-site lodging ranging from hotels and cabins to RV and tent camping, while multiple restaurants, scenic walking trails, and open-air gathering spaces invite festivalgoers to relax, explore, and connect between performances. As The Bluegrass Situation noted ahead of this year’s festival, “Tryon International may just be the most amenity-rich site for a bluegrass festival we’ve ever encountered.” Among this year’s standout additions was the Spirits of Bluegrass whiskey experience, presented in partnership with The Bluegrass Situation, which brought together thoughtfully curated whiskey tastings, bluegrass culture, and the convivial spirit of the festival in a one-of-a-kind experience. Elsewhere throughout the grounds, hands-on activities, jam circles, and casual opportunities to connect with fellow fans extended the festival experience well beyond the stages. The festival also continues to invest in the next generation through JAM Kids (Junior Appalachian Musicians) performances and interactive seminars, creating meaningful opportunities for young musicians while inviting attendees of all ages to learn, participate, and celebrate the music together.
The spirit and legacy of Earl Scruggs is alive and well at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival. All sights are set on the festival’s return to Tryon International in Mill Spring, NC, slated for Labor Day Weekend (September 3-5) 2027. Secure your spot today, and be among the first to support Scruggs Fest beneficiaries Earl Scruggs Center, WNCW 88.7, and Isothermal Community College for another year.
Press Contacts:
Danielle Dror – [email protected]
Karaline Bailey – [email protected]
About Earl Scruggs Center
The Earl Scruggs Center shares the story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native Earl Scruggs alongside the rich history and cultural traditions of the region that shaped him. In the nearby Flint Hill community, Scruggs learned to play banjo and perfected the three-finger picking technique now known worldwide as “Scruggs Style,” redefining the sound of the instrument. Through engaging exhibits, educational opportunities, and dynamic programming, the Center honors his groundbreaking career while inspiring people of all ages to connect with the music, history, and creative spirit that continue to shape our community. Learn more at earlscruggscenter.org.
About Tryon International
Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) is the ultimate destination for all who love horses, outdoor living, and an active lifestyle. Home of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, TIEC offers first-class facilities for equestrian events of all levels and disciplines. Located in the Blue Ridge Foothills of Mill Spring, NC, the competition experience is complemented by diverse onsite restaurants, a variety of shops, relaxing lodging getaways, family entertainment, and more. Learn more at tryon.com or call 828-863-1000.
About WNCW 88.7, Isothermal Community College
WNCW is a listener-supported public media service of Isothermal Community College, which serves the community through advancing new musical discoveries, showcasing local and regional talent, and preserving and promoting the traditions of Appalachian and roots music in our area and beyond. The station’s eclectic mix includes Americana, Triple-A rock/acoustic, bluegrass, blues, jazz, reggae, world, and other roots music styles, in addition to weekly spotlights on Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, The Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa and more. Live artist interviews and performances are broadcast frequently from WNCW’s professional recording studio, “Studio B”. As the flagship bluegrass station, WNCW broadcasts contemporary, traditional, and historical bluegrass music for eight hours each Saturday. Listeners can find WNCW at 88.7 FM throughout most of its listening area, which includes Western NC, Upstate SC and Eastern Tennessee. Translators rebroadcast the signal at 101.3 in Charlotte, 97.3 in Greenville, 92.9 in Boone and 90.9 WSIF in Wilkesboro. The station also has a worldwide audience through its livestream at wncw.org.