Podunk Sponsorship/Partnership Information

Join Podunk’s Circle of Friends!

Our Festival, Your Support … It All Adds Up To A First Rate Event!

Keep the music playing! As a not-for-profit, Podunk Bluegrass Festival depends on the generosity of our community to keep the tunes flowing and the good times rolling. Your support ensures we can continue to bring top-notch bluegrass acts to our stage, provide opportunities for up-and-coming artists, continue to host the kids academy/kids activities and Veterans Appreciation day,  and create a vibrant atmosphere for music lovers of all ages. Whether you donate your time, resources, or simply spread the word about our events, you’re helping to sustain a cherished tradition and keep the spirit of bluegrass alive and thriving in Connecticut. So join our circle of friends and be a part of something special!

Tiers/Levels

Is a partnership not for you? We have plenty of fun volunteer opportunities and other festival amenities that could use your financial support including kids activities, stages, veterans appreciation day, hospitality, shuttles, t-shirts, wristbands, sound, raffles and more! We will be happy to custom tailor something that meets your level of commitment. 

Your support, whether through volunteering your time, making a donation, or simply participating in the festivities, helps us continue to grow and improve each year, making the Podunk Bluegrass Festival an event to remember for all who attend. So join us in making memories and spreading the joy of bluegrass music!

Turning up the Heat in Goshen Bluegrass Style!

On the second weekend of August, bluegrass and music fans will visit the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Goshen Connecticut, winner of the 2010 IBMA “Event of the Year” and acknowledged as one of America’s outstanding family-oriented festivals of this kind. Again, this year, Bluegrass and Americana performers from across the nation will perform in a setting that is truly small-town New England.

The Podunk Festival gates open on Wednesday afternoon as campers arrive to set-up their sites and reacquaint themselves with old friends. Thursday, the music starts with our band competition sponsored by Telefunken for rising stars in bluegrass. Every detail has been arranged for a good time – excellent sound and staging, lighting, food and parking. Fans and families will see world class bluegrass performers in a natural and easy going setting.

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival draws audiences from across the nation and the world. Those devoted to bluegrass are knowledgeable, enthusiastic people with the means to travel to see their favorite performers. Past festivals have drawn rave reviews and inquiries months before summer begins.

Goshen and the surrounding area boast every possible amenity for visitors. Lodging is plentiful and cultural landmarks including the White Memorial Foundation, Litchfield Historical Center, Action Wildlife Foundation, several vineyards, and Litchfield Distilling, are within a short distance as are two state parks with great beaches. The festival is within a stone’s throw of the intersection of two major highways – CT RTE 8 and I-84. Best of all, The Litchfield Hills welcomes every visitor with easy parking, accommodations, restaurants and a genuine New England welcoming spirit!

Quality Venue:

The Goshen Fairgrounds, which can very comfortably accommodate up to 10,000 people offers amenities that few sites can match including: Camping with electric hook-ups, permanent restrooms and showers, parking for 5,000 cars, multiple large buildings for workshops and other events, excellent lighting at night and a large performance area.

Well Located:

Goshen is halfway between New York and Boston and near the intersection of two well-connected interstate highways. It is readily accessible and easily found by anybody from anywhere and over 500,000 people live within 30 minutes of the festival. Surrounding the site are numerous restaurants, hotels, and easy access to a major metropolitan area, including three major regional malls and international airport within driving distance, all in the beautiful Litchfield Hills.

Long-Term Commitment

Podunk, having been presented since 1996, is assured of financial stability due to its status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is efficiently run by a small but enthusiastic board of directors. Surrounded by the good will of the community and its citizens, businesses and civic organizations, the festival is destined to be part of the region’s identity for many more years to come.

Interested in dramatically improving their image, the Goshen Agricultural Society and the Town of Goshen are convinced of the long-term benefits of hosting such an important regional event including cultural, recreational and socialization opportunities for residents as well as tourism that can positively impact the local economy.

Did Someone Say Podunk?

The festival derives its name from the Podunk tribe, the original inhabitants of the area we know as East Hartford where the festival originated. The Podunk were known as a peaceful people, their settlements once dominated the area. The original festival site at Martin Park which is on the banks of the Hockanum River was once part of the traditional summer hunting grounds of the Podunk.

The Podunk culture flourished throughout the 15^th and 16^th centuries. However, the tribe was unable to survive the turbulent age that began with the arrival of the first European settlers. By the 1750’s, the Podunk had ceased to exist as an independent tribe but the spirit lives on as the bluegrass music soars through the hills each August. 

Contact mediarelations@podunkbluegrass.com for more information and to have a custom sponsorship package crafted for you.

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All contributions, less benefits of certain value, are fully tax-deductible in accordance with the law (Tax ID #06-1457866).

Mission: The mission of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is to celebrate, preserve, and promote the rich tradition of bluegrass music while fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of musicians and fans. Through our annual gathering, educational initiatives, and outreach programs, we strive to honor the legacy of bluegrass while supporting its evolution and ensuring its accessibility to all. With a commitment to authenticity, excellence, and cultural exchange, we aim to inspire passion, creativity, and connection among performers and audiences alike, creating unforgettable experiences that resonate far beyond our festival grounds.