Quick facts
- Dates: August 28 & 29
- Location: Ionia Fairgrounds — 317 S. Dexter St., Ionia, MI
- Headliner: Billy Strings (poster indicates he may play two sets Friday and could do sit-ins Saturday)
- Early lineup highlights: Greensky Bluegrass, Sierra Hull, Leftover Salmon, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Lindsay Lou, Full Cord
Ticketing & price notes
Early posts from fans point out very low local pricing — around $25/day plus fees for local buyers, and roughly $15 extra for non-local tickets (so still an excellent value). The fairgrounds reportedly hold around 20,000 people, so while prices are low, expect demand to be strong. Visit the official site for full ticket details and pricing tiers: ioniafreakfair.com.
Why it matters
Billy headlining and curating a new festival like this is notable — it leans into the jamband/bluegrass community and brings big-name acts and niche attractions together at a fairground-scale event. For fans who want a cheaper, hometown-feel festival with the possibility of unique collaborations and sit-ins, this one’s worth watching.
We’ll update with official set times and full lineup confirmations as they drop. If you’re planning to go, consider local ticket options, camping logistics, and getting tickets early — good deals like this don’t always stick around.
Source: announcement poster and fan discussion on Reddit’s r/jambands. Check the official site for full details and purchase info.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/jambands/comments/1r31sto/billy_strings_announces_the_ionia_freak_fair/