Winding Creek Music Festival expanded to four days, adds Gospel Sunday, 5K run/walk
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It’s time once again to do a little pickin’ and grinnin’ in western Howard County. The Winding Creek Music Festival returns Aug. 15-18, featuring some of the best in bluegrass music. And there will be plenty to experience beyond the banjos and mandolins.
The festival has expanded to a fourth day in 2024, and new activities and events have been added to the schedule, making Winding Creek the perfect family affair for those looking to bring summer to an enjoyable close. According to organizer Bob Auth, who hosts the four-day festival on his wooded property 10 miles west of Kokomo, the music is the primary draw, and this year will be as good as any the festival has ever seen.
Though there isn’t truly a headlining band in the line-up, he is particularly proud to welcome back “Nothin Fancy” for its third appearance at Winding Creek. The band regularly fills venues across the country, and has chosen the Howard County festival as part of an anniversary tour.
“’Nothin Fancy’ is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this year,” said Auth. “They are big. They do cruises that people take just to see them. They are phenomenal.”
Indeed, ‘Nothin’ Fancy’ is a decorated band. It has been nominated for the 2024 Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Player of the Year honors for the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass by the International Bluegrass Music Association. All of these honors are connected to the band’s latest album, “Here We Go Again.”
But “Nothin’ Fancy” is one of many nationally and regionally touring bands performing at Winding Creek this year. The Baker Family is another big act taking the stage this year. The band has been featured on “America’s Got Talent” and “PBS’s Great American Bluegrass.” In 2016, it won Bluegrass Band of the Year from the International Country Gospel Music Association.
Other awards garnered by The Baker Family include the SPBGMA Midwest Album of the Year, Entertainers of the Year, and mandolin, fiddle, and vocalist of the year honors.
Filling out the jam-packed schedule at Winding Creek are Branded Bluegrass, the Carl Bentley Band, the Alec Hurtubise Band, Booze Hounds Bluegrass, Blue Holler, New Outlook, Bahler Golden Age, Mackville, Anchored, and Auth’s own Medicinal Bluegrass Band.
While the bands are impressive, Winding Creek Organizer Duane Davis said his favorite part of the event is the people who attend the festival each year.
“I get the bands together, bring them in, and make sure they're ready to go,” said Davis. “But I really enjoy the people, you know? I always try to get out in the crowd and shake everybody's hands. It's a fun time meeting everyone because they don't have to be there. They chose us, and we really appreciate that fact.”
The organizers really try to treat everyone in attendance like a part of their family, Davis explained. That camaraderie extends across the festival site, as attendees gather in various areas to play together in between the acts on stage. It is not unusual to see jam sessions crop up, and even members from the featured bands will join in the fun.
“A lot of people like to play at the log cabin (on the festival grounds),” Davis said. “You'll find somebody up on the porch just playing. Or the bands might go there to practice before they play, and people can jam with them. That’s really fun for everyone.”
Winding Creek has expanded to four days this year, adding Thursday as a more informal get-together. But Auth said his focus is firmly set on Sunday this year. Aug. 18 will be “Gospel Day” at the festival, featuring an outdoor church service at 9 a.m.
Sponsored by the Turnabout Community Resource Center, the day’s events will include music on stage all day, children’s programming by Mrs. Kate, face painting by Daily Whimsies, a walkabout through an “enchanted” tree maze, and a timed 5K trail run/walk complete with awards in several age categories.
Registration for the 5K can be completed in advance by visiting www.windingcreekmusicfestival.com, or in person beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of the race. The 5K begins at 10 a.m. on Sun., Aug. 18. Registration is $10 for adults, and $5 for students. Children 12 and under run or walk for free.
Trophies will be awarded to the top overall runner and walker, male and female, and medals will be awarded to the age division winners. All runners will receive a participation ribbon. Commemorative t-shirts for the 5K and for the festival will be available for $20, with the proceeds benefiting Turnabout.
Admission to the Winding Creek Music Festival is $55 for a four-day ticket. Three-day tickets (Friday-Sunday) are available for $45, and single day ticket prices vary by day. Student admissions receive a discount. Tickets can be purchased online at these discounted prices prior to Aug. 13. Single day tickets will be available on-site during the event, albeit at a higher price.
Directions to the festival grounds are available at the Winding Creek website, www.windingcreekmusicfestival.com. Free parking and primitive camping are available.