Avon Hosts FreeFall Bluegrass Festival at Nottingham Park

"We'll have a much bigger footprint, there is lodging and restaurants nearby, the infrastructure is already there, we can put up food and retail vendor tents in the park, and we'll have much larger space to do a kid's zone," said Diane Moudy, event organizer of the FreeFall Bluegrass Festival, which is moving to Avon's Nottingham Park this October. For locals, this means a significant upgrade in terms of amenities and space, a welcome change from the festival's previous venue. The festival, scheduled to take place from October 9-11, promises to bring in big names like the Infamous String Dusters and Sam Bush Band, as well as regional and local bluegrass sounds.

Let's do the math: the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park offers a much larger space than the festival's previous location, which will allow for more vendors, a bigger kid's zone, and a more comfortable experience for attendees. On paper, this sounds like a win-win for both the festival organizers and Avon. In practice, it means that folks around here can expect a more enjoyable and immersive experience, with plenty of food, drink, and activities to go around.

The Avon community is thrilled to host the festival, with chief cultural officer Danita Dempsey noting that the pavilion's central location makes it easily accessible by bike, foot, or public transit. This is a significant advantage for locals, who won't have to worry about parking or transportation. Dempsey also highlighted the importance of the festival's community feel, which is a key part of Avon's charm. For context, Avon has a long history of hosting successful events, including the Salute to the U.S.A. concerts, which Moudy has been involved with for over 25 years.

Moudy's experience and familiarity with the venue are a major plus, and her company, Resort Entertainment Group, has a 20-plus-year history of planning successful events in the area. The fact that she was consulted when Avon was building the Avon Performance Pavilion demonstrates her expertise and reputation. As she noted, "I've been working with Avon for a long time... and we had fun helping figure out its musical future with this offering that has a great backdrop."

So what can attendees expect from the festival? Gates will open at 2 p.m. on Friday, with music starting on the main stage at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, gates will open at 11 a.m., with music starting at 11:30 a.m. The festival will feature multiple stages, with music going until 9 p.m. each night. A kid's zone will also be available, which will be a major draw for families.

The practical bottom line is that the FreeFall Bluegrass Festival's move to Avon's Nottingham Park is a significant upgrade for locals, with more space, amenities, and activities to enjoy. With its central location, easy accessibility, and community feel, the festival is shaping up to be a must-attend event for folks around here. As Dempsey noted, "We're hopeful — and confident — that the partnership we've created will translate into a thoughtfully curated experience that brings a lot of joy to everyone who attends." For locals, that's all that matters.