24th Joe Val Festival

One of the most enjoyable festivals of the year takes place this Presidents Day weekend, February 13 to 15 at the Sheraton Framingham hotel in Framingham Mass. Featuring, on the Main Stage, top "National" and "Regional" bands, "Bobby Osborne and RockyTop X-Press," "Dailey and Vincent," "Bradley Walker," "Steep Canyon Rangers," "Dry Branch Fire Squad," "Special Consensus," "The Claire Lynch Band," "Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper," "Kruger Brothers Bluegrass Project," "New Found Road," "Charlie Sizemore Band," "Josh Williams Band," "Berklee Bluegrass Collage," "Joe Sings Joe with Dave Dillon," "Straight Drive," "Wilf Clark and the Misty Mountaineers," "Anna Mae Mitchell and Rising Tide," "The Old Time Bluegrass Singers," "Bluegrass Gospel Project," as well as the "Bluegrass in the Schools Band." And, on the lower level at the Showcase Stage nearly two dozen groups will perform over the weekend, also, 50 Workshops will take place, given by professional performers, a two day "Kids Academy" culminating with a main stage performance on Sunday, a wide array of vendors of musical instruments and accessories, a teachers workshop, a bluegrass film festival, instrument auctions, plus round the clock jams all over the hotel, in the rooms, hallways, stairwells, you name it! It's certainly a wonderful relief from the snow and cold and surely will be well attended, the rooms at the Sheraton sold out in about one hour but thankfully there are rooms at overflow hotels nearby and I believe there are still tickets available but check out the BBU website to be sure

Gerry Katz, BBU President

The Main Stage seating area

There are many rooms on the lower level of the hotel where workshops are held throughout the day Saturday and Sunday