Windmill Ridge Campground will host the 39th annual Kalona Bluegrass Festival this weekend, with a full slate of bands scheduled on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Bob Black said that the festival is important due to the decrease in bluegrass music across the state, especially since the  start of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Back in the early 70s, there was a festival going on nearly every weekend somewhere in Iowa. That fell off, and now there’s only a few festivals left.” He adds that the Kalona festival is the second-oldest running festival in the state.

He went on to say that the festival has drawn crowds of all ages in recent years due to the rise of online bluegrass performers.

The Bluegrass Blondies, The McPunk Brothers, The Roe Family Singers, The Anderegg Family, and the Dodge Street Duo will perform Friday evening.

Saturday’s slate includes Banjoy, The Anderegg Family, The Bluegrass Blondies, The Roe Family Singers, and Flash in a Pan, each of which will perform twice, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.

Guest performers have the opportunity to take the stage ahead of the scheduled bands, and, according to Bob and Kristie Black of Banjoy, two of the festival’s organizers, jam sessions tend to pop up around the festival grounds.

The Bluegrass Blondies and a hymn sing will conclude the festival on Sunday.

Food will be available at the campgrounds, no alcohol is allowed at the festival, and audience members are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.