Bluegrass Legacy Meets Smart Event Management at DelFest 2025

July 21, 2025
Evelyn Taylor

DelFest wrapped its 2025 festival with four days of McCoury-curated music, generational storytelling, and thoughtful, fan-focused experiences.

Each Memorial Day weekend, thousands of fans gather in the Appalachian foothills for a bluegrass event shaped by tradition and community. Now in its 18th year, DelFest continues to evolve, powered by the McCoury family’s vision and our tools that help manage ticketing and logistics behind the scenes.

Handpicked Lineups, Family Legacy

The lineup balances legacy acts like The Del McCoury Band and The SteelDrivers with rising names such as Matteo Mancuso, Mountain Grass Unit, and Wyatt Ellis—creating a mix that honors the past while pushing the genre forward.

“Del McCoury is the king of bluegrass as we know it today, with an approach to the music that redefined the genre. It’s only natural that his namesake festival exists in the same manner. Fans have the chance to see 4 days of music from 10am til 2am, with artists that are literally handpicked by the McCoury Family for consideration.” – Ariel Rosemberg, Director of Marketing for DelFest

The McCoury family doesn’t just curate the experience—they perform it. The Del McCoury Band plays multiple sets across the weekend, while The Travelin’ McCourys lead late-night jam sessions that have become a signature of the event.

DelFest’s curated approach extends beyond the stage. Pop-up sets in unexpected corners of the campground, a full slate of children’s activities, and a hand-selected mix of local vendors and craft brewers round out the experience. Set on the Allegany County Fairgrounds, an “unsuspecting oasis” along the Potomac River, with a single road leading in and out, the venue helps shape a weekend that’s as scenic as it is soulful.

Balancing Legacy & Loyalty with Growth

For the DelFest team, preserving tradition while growing thoughtfully is always a balance. The festival’s 2025 fan survey showed most attendees had attended more than once—clear proof of an engaged community. Still, each year brings new attendees, more diverse offerings, and growing operational needs, making thoughtful planning and reliable infrastructure more important than ever.

“People talk about DelFest and share DelFest adjacent content 365 days per year. There’s something to be said about the parallels between that, albeit somewhat virtual community and the history of bluegrass and roots music.” – Ariel Rosemberg, Director of Marketing for DelFest

Delivering a yearly event for a growing fanbase takes more than creativity—it requires operational support behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly for both fans and organizers. That’s where our partnership comes in.

Where Tradition Meets Smooth Operations

This year, DelFest utilized Tixr to manage inventory across admission, camping, RV parking, and VIP access. With real-time reporting and full control over their event, the team could make informed adjustments quickly and confidently.

“The Upgrades feature is really helpful in giving fans full control to manage their own experience—like switching from a GA pass to VIP—without needing our support. This frees up time, taking the workload off of our team and putting it right in the hands of the fan.” – Gabe Axe, Director of Ticketing for DelFest

DelFest’s steady growth comes from knowing exactly who they are and what their community values. From music to logistics, the McCoury family and team approach every detail with the same care, and we’re proud to provide the tools that help bring the festival’s vision to life.

Curious how Tixr can support your next event? Let’s connect.