NORWICH – The Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival has been in our area for a long time. This year marks the 25th annual festival for this 4-day, family-friendly event. The promoters, Mike and Maryann Tirella of Albany have been running this festival for the last three years and in these tough economic times, have decided not to scale back, but to forge ahead. Their lineup (one of the best ever) includes nationally recognized James King – the male bluegrass vocalist of the year and Jeannette Williams – the female bluegrass vocalist of the year.

The bands that are playing are regional, national and international and the promoters promise a show that will be top-notch. “Bluegrass music festivals are one of the best kept secrets in America” says Tom Doerfel, a father of 10 who, with his wife Cheryl, travel full time across the US and Canada playing bluegrass music and making people smile. “Bluegrass music is music that is by the people, for the people and of the people,” says Mike Tirella, who is also the leader of The Cabin Fever Band.