Just outside the town of Flagstaff, Arizona, there is a little festival that happens each year in September.
People from all over come to camp for three nights, playing their banjos and other stringed instruments in what is affectionately called the Pickin’ in the Pines festival.
Last year was my first time attending, and I went all out with a three day pass that included camping just outside the arena.
After making quick work of setting up my campsite, it was time to just relax under the tall pines, sip whiskey, and listen to the music and good times all around.
Many of the bluegrass acts playing in the festival were also camping in the same area as the attendees, which meant you could hear great bluegrass music all the time!
Hiking trails galore start from the campgrounds as well if you need to get away from it all for a bit.
It was here that I heard some great local music, new bluegrass bands from other parts of the West including Durango, Taos, and Moab.
I hope to make this a yearly event for me, but we will just have to wait and see. Until then, I’ll strap on my cowboy hat, let my hippy flags fly in the breeze, and enjoy the sweet sounds of Bluegrass Americana.
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