About Us

The Lakes Bluegrass Festival presents nationally known, regional, and local bluegrass bands, that provide over 40 hours of professional main stage entertainment, hands-on workshops, jam sessions and more during a four-day musical event in picturesque Pine River, Minnesota. The event is hosted and sponsored by the Pine River Area Foundation (PRAF) in conjunction with the generous support of many business and individual sponsors and volunteers,

The mission of the Pine River Area Foundation (PRAF) is to support, promote, and enhance the economic environment and quality of life of the greater Pine River area. Our vision is to enhance opportunities for artistic presentations, and growth in an under-served community, while celebrating diversity and encouraging cross-demographic collaboration.

The Lakes Bluegrass Festival is a four-day event held in late August each year providing over 40 hours of professional main-stage entertainment, celebrating the truly traditional American art form of bluegrass music. The festival provides not only a wonderful opportunity for under-served communities to hear some of the nations’ and Minnesota’s best bluegrass artists performs on stage, but to also participate and learn about this American folk music genre through hands on workshops presented by the performing band members. Attendees can also immerse themselves in the music by watching and participating in impromptu jam sessions that spring up around the camp ground.

The festival is held at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Pine River. The community helped with funding to build a beautiful permanent stage at the fairgrounds where the performances take place. 150 RV camp spaces are provided as well as rustic tent camping in the woods adjacent the fairgrounds. Six to eight Minnesota bluegrass bands along with four national bands rotate on the main stage throughout the festival, each performing at least two one hour shows. Professional band members host workshops ranging from beginning instruction on instruments to advanced techniques. Food vendors are on site near the concert grounds. Jam sessions can be heard all day and well into the night by the campfires after the last show ends at 11:00 each evening.