The George Portz Traditional Music Festival is back, with a weekend full of bluegrass and other styles of music to entertain attendees.
The event is scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park along Old Hwy. A in Festus. Admission is $15 per day for adults. Children 12 and younger may attend for free. Tickets may be purchased at georgeportzTMF.com or at the gate.
Passes to cover admission for both days may be purchased for $20 online, but service fees apply.
The event is returning after a year’s absence caused by stormy weather predictions in 2024, leading organizers to cancel it.
George Portz, a national champion fiddler who died in January 2023, held the festival for 23 years at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Ellis Grove, Ill., and then in 2013, he moved it to Festus where it has been held each year other than during the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2024.
Jason Portz, son of the festival’s founder, said he is proud to keep the event going.
“That’s what Dad would have wanted,” he said. “He wanted his music to remain alive.”
The festival will feature many bluegrass performers, as well as prominent musicians from other music styles, he said.
“You’ll hear traditional bluegrass,” Portz said. “There’s a little Cajun and some old-school country. There’s Irish and gospel.”
He said more than 40 vendors will also be on hand as well as food trucks.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. There is no fee to park.
Portz, who serves as the festival’s emcee, said the 2025 event will offer a mixture of old favorites and new acts. Scheduled performers are:
■ George Portz’s Friends of Bluegrass, based in Shiloh, Ill. “They’re traditional bluegrass who played with my dad,” Portz said.
■ Riverbend, based in Alton, Ill. “It’s one of the most up-and-coming bluegrass bands in the Midwest,” he said.
■ Pickin’ Buds, based in Waterloo, Ill. “They’re what we would call ‘bluegrass funk,’ or ‘newgrass,’” Portz said. “It’s the new era of bluegrass.”
■ Big River Trio, based in Fenton. “They’re been friends of Dad’s for 50 years,” he said.
■ Finley River Band, based in southwest Missouri. “They’re an old-school bluegrass band,” Portz said.
■ Grass Roots Bluegrass, based in Columbia, Ill. “They’re a newer band,” he said. “They’re first-timers at our festival. Their banjo player, Samuel Webb, was a student of my dad’s and played with Dad.”
■ The Howlin’ Brothers, based in Nashville, Tenn. “They’ve been with us about 15 years,” Portz said. “They’re a fan favorite. They put on a great show.”
■ American Bluegrass Drive, based in St. Louis. “We are excited to have them at the festival for the first time,” he said. “They’re traditional bluegrass.”
■ Kevin Buckley, based in St. Louis. “He’s an Irish fiddler,” Portz said. “He’s one of the best fiddlers in the St. Louis area.”
■ As the Crow Flies, based in St. Louis. “They’re traditional bluegrass,” he said.
■ Bruce Punches, based in Missouri. “They bring great gospel vocals,” he said.
In addition, the Thunder & Lightning Cloggers of Columbia, Ill., will perform.
The city of Festus allows primitive camping and RVs at the park during the festival. No hook-ups are available.
Festus Parks and Recreation and the Festus Tourism Commission, which awarded a $20,000 grant to Jason Portz to use for the event, sponsors the festival.
Schedule
Saturday
Noon: Grass Roots Bluegrass
12:45 p.m.: American Bluegrass Drive
1:30 p.m.: As the Crow Flies
2:15 p.m.: Finley River Band
3 p.m.: Thunder & Lightning Cloggers
3:15 p.m.: Howlin’ Brothers
4 p.m.: Pickin’ Buds
4:45 p.m.: George Portz’s Friends of Bluegrass
5:30 p.m.: Kevin Buckley
Sunday
Noon: Big River Trio and Friends
12:45 p.m.: Finley River Band
1:45 p.m.: Howlin’ Brothers
2:30 p.m.: Bruce Punches
3:15 p.m.: Riverbend
4:15 p.m.: George Portz’s Friends of Bluegrass
5:15 p.m.: Pickin’ Buds