NORWICH – Hundreds of bluegrass enthusiasts from all over the country are expected to gather throughout the week and weekend as the 26th Annual Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival rolls into town, and event organizer Mike Tirella has announced an all-star line-up for the yearly jubilee.

Hailing from the mountains of the Adirondacks, host band The Cabin Fever Band will be joined on stage by a number of regional and local groups including Pennsylvania-based bluegrass acts Texas Rose, Remington Ryde and Plexigrass, and New York-based groups The Matthews Family Band, Dave Nichols and Spare Change and bluegrass stalwart Smokey Green, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

In addition, national acts such as the Georgia-based Larry Gillis Band, The Gary Waldrep Band of Alabama and Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road of North Carolina will perform.

Tirella, who also picks guitar for The Cabin Fever Band, reported those in attendance are in for a special treat Saturday evening when headliners The Daughters of Bluegrass take the stage, one of only four performances the famed national ensemble puts on every year.

Karen May, stand-up bassist for the all-female group, said the band features a “rotating cast of musicians” and added it “depends on the area and who’s available” when the Daughters make an appearance.