Pandemic and Festival Change Information

2022 Pandemic Information

The decision to go ahead with this year’s North Cascade Bluegrass Festival was not made lightly.  After much debate and discussion, the decision to hold the festival was made, and we fervently trust/hope that it was the right decision and that we can safely and securely put on a successful festival that is fun and enjoyable for everyone.  That said, we have established the following set of guidelines to help us ensure that we are able to do so.

• We will be observing and following all CDC, WA state, and Whatcom County recommendations in effect at the time of the festival. This includes but is not limited to social distancing, wearing of facemasks, and event capacity controls.
• We strongly encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated a minimum of 14 days prior to the festival.
• We ask that anyone exhibiting known covid or flu-like symptoms not attend the festival for the well-being of others in attendance. Thank you for your understanding.

Should we have to cancel the festival due to the covid pandemic, a full refund, including fees, will be offered to all pre-purchased ticket holders.  This includes both festival passes and camping passes.  Please allow for the processing time of the refund should such refunds become necessary.

2022 Festival Changes Information

The North Cascades Bluegrass Festival is expanding this year to 3 full days (Fri, Sept 2, Sat, Sept 3 & Sun, Sept 4, 2022) of top-notch bluegrass bands from around the US and Canada. Bands will be performing on Friday & Saturday OR Saturday & Sunday. All bands will perform on Saturday.

We are also expanding our camping program to 7 days of camping  (Noon- Tue, Aug 30 to Noon-Tue, Sept 6, 2022).  As a result, our ticket structure has been changed to accommodate the additional festival and camping days and we are making significant changes as a result.

The North Cascades Bluegrass Festival is the primary fundraiser for the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the parks, trails, and recreational opportunities throughout Whatcom County and its communities.   We strive to put on a family-friendly bluegrass festival that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The majority of the revenue for the festival comes from the sale of festival and camping passes.   While campground jamming is certainly an integral and fun part of all bluegrass festivals, including ours, It is not the intent of the WPRF or the NCBF that the festival becomes a “camping jam, anything goes, free-for-all”.  All individuals camping at the festival, whether RV or dry camping, are required to also purchase a Festival Pass and wear the appropriate wristbands at all times while at the festival as outlined in the ticketing & camping guidelines.  Click HERE to be taken to our ticketing page.