Bumper Jacksons is one of several local acts playing tomorrow’s Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival.
By DCist contributor Emma Watters
More than 40 bluegrass, folk, and Americana artists will take to six stages on Saturday at the Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival, the city’s largest local music festival and a chance for area bands to get their songs in front of a sizable crowd.
“Two years ago, we looked out and saw a sea of thousands of people,” said Sam D’Agostino, the stand up bass player for D.C.’s Second String Band.
Continuing in the island’s storied history, the festival drew over 13,000 people last year to celebrate community, local music, food and culture along the Anacostia River’s west bank.
The Bumper Jacksons, Near Northeast, and Jonny Grave are also among the local acts on the lineup.
“D.C. has been our adopted home since the inception of the band. We all came here as strangers and found ourselves connecting with the city through its music and art scene,” said Near Northeast’s Kelly Servick. “Kingman is a festival we really look forward to. It captures the energy, diversity, and beauty of the city’s spirit while promoting causes we believe in.”
Proceeds from the festival benefit educational programs through Living Classrooms, a local nonprofit overseeing Kingman Island’s ongoing maintenance and restoration.
Besides eight hours of performances, expect to find food trucks, games, drinks (the ticket price includes one Kleen Kanteen cup), an outdoor bike course, free kayaking, and giveaways. Festival sponsor and soon-to-be D.C. resident REI will host the REI Village, featuring a fully-functioning bike repair shop and outdoor hammock lounge. Dogs are welcome as well and must remain on leash.
Recalling his first experience at Kingman Island in 2013, bluesman Jonny Ggrave said, “I threw my hat into the ring, woke up early on a Saturday, made my way to the Island, and saw what everyone was talking about. It’s everything I want out of a festival, y’know?”
The Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival takes place on Saturday, April 30, from noon to 8 p.m. The festival entrance is 575 Oklahoma Avenue NE, at the back of RFK Stadium’s Lot 6. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door.
