BIG CHANGES IN 2009

To focus Bluegrass Music in one area the 'Grass in the Park
concert will be in the larger Ausgrass Marquee

ALIVE 'N PICKIN Bluegrass band, Saturday afternoon, Ausgrass 2008

'GRASS IN THE PARK
US Festival style of presentation

TO SEE PHOTOS FROM 2008

With three great bands
Performing Bluegrass and Old Timey Music the likes which Tumut has never experienced?
So why have we chosen Tumut and the "Festival of the Falling Leaf", to conduct Ausgrass.? With plenty of accommodation options, warmer weather, numerous areas to "pick and grin", plus a Huge Marquee to hold workshops, old timey barn dance, gospel and jam sessions, an outdoor stage area for the Saturday afternoon concert and a full fledged Theatre for the Saturday night Main Concert, there just isn't a better place to be on the weekend
There is also an opportunity for participating Bands to receive recognition for their contribution to the Event in the way of subsidised travel and accommodation expenses. This recognition was something Ausgrass could never have offered under the previous policies. The subsidy is not open ended and is the same value for all those who are chosen to represent the contribution Ausgrass is making to this otherwise successful public event as well as helping to promote Bluegrass Music to a much wider audience.

No longer is Ausgrass to be, "The best kept secret in Australian Country Music"
quote from Country Music Capital News out of Tamworth.
For Ausgrass to join in with this existing Festival event allows the producer to ease the burden of Insurance, promotion costs and rising venue costs. The Tumut Festival is fully sponsored by the Tumut Council and Business Community and provides a larger audience for a Bluegrass Music Event. The action is going to be non-stop, all weekend.
* Another great incentive is that costs to attend for the weekend will be lower.
* You can choose your own level of accommodation, your own style of meals from the huge selection of cafes, hotels and stalls. There is a lot going on as well as the Bluegrass Music, so if the wife comes along and she wants to shop till she drops, no problem. Or if you both want to sit in a lovely tree shaded park and listen to great music. Or how about just picking and grinning with good folks you have known for years.? Even if it is pouring with rain, there are plenty of hotels and other indoor venues in this country town.
Believe me, it is all there, just waiting for you to come along, so no good just dropping in to find out,
"What you just missed out on ?" Be there ! or miss out on the best Ausgrass, ever?

On the Saturday, there are to be Street marches, instrument workshops, busking, stalls, woodworking exhibitions, fireworks, before the Saturday night concert,
And on Sunday morning, the Gospel Session and jamming before heading for home. I believe with a bit of effort on all our parts this event could become a real milestone in the Bluegrass Music calendar in Australia.
With Ausgrass in Tumut, the future of GREAT BLUEGRASS MUSIC weekends in NSW is certainly assured.

Late night Pickers brave the Tumut evening air