10 great places to go to bluegrass festivals

— -- For music fans, June kicks off bluegrass season, with festivals scheduled through the summer and into the fall. The gatherings offer more than a chance to hear bands, says Bob Cherry, editor of Cybergrass.com. "Bluegrass has evolved to become a participant sport. At festivals you'll find jammers in the parking lots, the campgrounds and hallways of hotels." He shares some favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival

Morgantown, Ind.

Founded by the man who invented the genre, the world's oldest bluegrass festival features classic sounds. "It's bluegrass, blue and true. You'll touch the roots of the music," Cherry says. The festival site includes a forested campground and a bluegrass museum. "It's a wonderful environment." Runs June 9-16. 800-414-4677; beanblossom.us

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Oak Hill, N.Y.

A long-running mega-festival, Grey Fox attracts regional acts, national performers and super stars. "You get a little bit of everything, including the very, very top talent," Cherry says. The Catskills Mountains farm provides an intimate setting. "It's a green, comfortable place. You're back to nature in a very non-stress environment." Runs July 19-22. 888-946-8495; greyfoxbluegrass.com

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Music Festival

San Francisco

This free October festival in Golden Gate Park is a gift from billionaire investment banker Warren Hellman, who died last year. He loved music and recruited festival performers from Elvis Costello and MC Hammer to Merle Haggard and John Mellencamp. And the crowd is just as varied. "You'll have your pot smokers right next to Grandma and Grandpa, but everyone gets along," Cherry says. Runs Oct 5-7. strictlybluegrass.com

Joe Val Bluegrass Music Festival

Framingham, Mass.

This Boston-area gathering honoring New England mandolin player Joe Val welcomes fans of all ages with a special Kids Academy, teaching music to children. "They'll loan them an instrument if they don't have one. It's the only festival I know that's family focused," Cherry says. A winter event, this gathering is held indoors. Next year's dates: Feb. 15-17, 2013. 617-782-2251; bbu.org/jvhome.htm

Graves Mountain Festival of Music

Syria, Va.

This traditional festival held at a rustic family-owned resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia isn't just about music. "There's horseback riding, fishing, biking and hiking. It's just a lot of fun," Cherry says. Highlights of the 2010 festival were featured on a CD, Graves Mountain All-Star Jam (Rural Rhythm, $13.99). Runs May 31-June 2. 540-923-4231; gravesmountain.com

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Telluride, Colo.

One of the best-known festivals, this mega-event sells out early every year. (Sign up at the website for emails announcing ticket-sale dates). The mountain setting attracts legends like Emmylou Harris, John Prine and Alison Krauss. "You'll get rock-tinged bluegrass, and other bands that have evolved. A lot of variety, but the roots are all bluegrass." Cherry says. "There are three or four stages. You can't see them all." Held June 21-24. 800-624-2422; bluegrass.com/telluride

Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration

Rosine, Ky.

Bill Monroe's western Kentucky birthplace hosts this mid-sized festival, which includes several dozen bands. It aims to preserve not only Monroe's sound, but the genres that influenced him, including gospel and square-dance music. "If you're looking for connections to the music, you're not going to get much closer than Jerusalem Ridge," Cherry says. Held in early October. 270-274-9181; jerusalemridgefestival.org

IBMA Fan Fest

Nashville, Tenn.

Every year, the International Bluegrass Music Association gathers for business meetings and a trade show. But fans come for a three-day indoor festival. Sixty acts perform to support charities like the Bluegrass Trust Fund, which helps artists without health insurance. "It's a very good cause, put on by a very good organization and folks that really know bluegrass," Cherry says. This year's dates: Sept. 28-30. 888-438-4262; bluegrassfanfest.org

Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival

Winfield, Kansas

Fans come for the festival contests including banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, autoharp and finger-style guitar. But the flat-picking competition has put the event on the map, Cherry says. "This is where the best pickers come from. You'll find them years later in the super bands." This year's dates: Sept. 12-16. 620-221-3250; wvfest.com

Americana Music Festival

Virginia City, Nev.

Americana music encompasses not just bluegrass, but "all the stuff that fits in between," Cherry says. It includes cowboy music, mountain music, and alternative country. "It's definitely good, and I'm a hardcore bluegrass lover," Cherry says. The Nevada festival uses historic sites around the Old West town. Dates: July 13-15. 775-847-0254; americanafest.org