Organizers of the World of Bluegrass are gearing up for their inaugural year in North Carolina's capital. They've announced many of the acts and events that will highlight the festival later this year.
Grammy-winner Alison Krauss will join Steve Martin and North Carolina's own Steep Canyon Rangers as featured performers. North Carolina bands like the Grass Cats and Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road will also take center stage at several venues at what's being called the "Wide Open Bluegrass Festival".
But it's not just about the music.
The North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship is also part of the festivities. A free street festival is also on tap. Nancy Cardwell heads the .
"IBMA has members in all 50 states and 30 countries around the world and what I want to convey to you all today is that same buzz and excitement and anticipation is out there around the world in the bluegrass community for your city, for Raleigh, and I cannot wait until September when we can all get together with the annual bluegrass family reunion," Cardwell says.
This is the first year of a three-year run in Raleigh for the festival. Events will be held September 24th through the 28th.
