What People Are Saying About Podunk
This was our first Podunk, but will not be our last! What a well run event, with great contingency plans when thunderstorm struck. We throughly enjoyed the music and wonderful people. Personally, I LOVED the opportunity to begin each day practicing yoga with Sundari. What a blessing she is to the event! See you next year! -Charlene J.
Very enjoyable laid back family friendly experience. Staff was more than helpful. Everyone well spaced out, never felt crowded. Grounds kept clean. Music was terrific. Would recommend this venue to friends & family. Plan to return in the future.
It was so sad to see Podunk empty out. But then I thought… less than a year until I see my entire Podunk family again! Very excited for next year!!! -Tracy Michael
I miss my Podunk family already I can’t wait to see them again next year. -Linda Lyhon.
We have had such a great time here in Connecticut! The folks at Podunk Bluegrass love their bluegrass and their enthusiasm made our shows so much fun. #weheartpodunk -Seth Mulder and Midnight Run
We had a blast and I got to hear some amazing Bluegrass bands. Pick in’ in the campgrounds is back! What a wonderful sound! – Jerry Douglas
OMG! What a killer line up! So much great picking at the campsites and gazebo. Such a good time. -Christopher Kwolek
Had the best time at the Podunk Bluegrass festival Saturday night!! So much talent on one stage 
and we had the best weather! -Chloe Elizabeth
What a blast! -EJ Ouellette
We want to thank all those at Podunk Bluegrass Festival. We met so many wonderful people from all over the Country! To the volunteers and wonderful/amazing musicians…Thank You! -Pau Pau’s Pizza cones
Wow. I got to stand next to one of the greatest instrumentalists of all time!!! The great Jerry Douglas. -Adam McIntosh
Best artist hospitality in the East! Have a great Podunk Bluegrass this year. -Mike Mitchell Band
This festival was great beyond words! Fantastic lineup and everything was perfect! -newenglandlivemusicfan
This is the best week of the year! Live music on multiple stages, workshops, but the highlight is picking in the camping area and meeting new friends! It’s awesome! -Lola Baltzell
We had BIG FUN at Podunk Bluegrass! -Sister Sadie
Great festival! We’ll be back! -Phil Sliwa
Everywhere I walked was full of kindness. Everyone was JOYFUL. So many mighty fine jams all around Podunk! New Friends and old friends all together having fun! Thank You! Cheers -Bonnie and Kai
Yet another epic festival! Great jams, great friends, perfect weather, epic performances on all the stages.
THANK YOU PODUNK BLUEGRASS! Jan D
Everyone was so friendly and warm. I felt like part of a big family.
Loved it. We’ll come for a longer period of time next year!
“What a superb event! As I mentioned, I’ve wanted to get
there for many years, and now that I’ve been there, I see what I’ve
missed out on for all those years. You all work so hard to make it a
great experience for the performers and the audience. Congratulations
on a wonderful event! On behalf of James Reams & The Barnstormers — and myself — THANK YOU!!
“I’ve got a new one for the “A” list too… new to me at least, having never played it before this weekend. I have been waiting to chime in on someone else’s 2nd or 3rd party post. Alas no, someone has to be first… guess I’m elected by default. Here goes…
We had the pleasure of playing at the Podunk BGF in E. Hartford, CT this weekend. Aside from a few folks desiring an ice cream vendor to ward off the ravages of the summer heat, I don’t know what even the strongest critic could find to dwell on. Podunk is simply a case study on how to put on a successful event. I won’t bore you with a running account of superlatives here, but anyone wishing more elaborate details may consider this an invitation to contact me off-list.”
~ Randy Graham – David Parmley & Continental Divide
“I have to say I truly enjoyed working the fest this year and hope to be a bigger part next year. You guys rock!! I saw some folks at the market today and they said “you were part of the bluegrass this past weekend” I replied yes and ask if they had a good time, they said it was the best and their first and plan on coming every year:) So ya’ll rule!!”
~ Debbie Cook, Volunteer Captain
“From a performer perspective, I think Podunk is the best we play. I don’t know if I would change anything. The sound is great and the sound guys are easy to work with, the food, the backstage area, the motel, if they were all like Podunk, life on the road would be so much better. You’ve got a great festival and I thank you for making us part of it. I look forward to coming back.”
~ Larry Stephenson
“I can’t believe if you’re asking how you can improve. Yours was by far one of the most organized festivals we’ve ever played! We had a wonderful time there, and your team took such good care of us. I ate more in those two days than I did all summer! The food was so good!”
~ Rebecca H. Frazier Hit & Run Bluegrass
“We all enjoyed the hospitality and friendliness at Podunk. We discussed it quite a bit the following weekend as we drove from CT to NH to VT to ME to do gigs. Our biggest regret was that we were so busy that weekend playing and weren’t able to stay at the fest (the rest of the weekend was gorgeous weather….). Your staff and volunteers were very welcoming and helpful. The sound company was extremely easy to work with and very professional. The food was very good. The setup of the festival is nicely done. I know many folks from up here who went down (some of them my fiddle students) and they really enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the festival and can’t believe it’s so close to Hartford — “so close, yet so far away…” You all do a very fine job and have some great entertainment.”
~ Ellen, High Range
“We certainly would like to thank you and your staff for including us at this year’s Podunk Festival. It sure seemed like a huge success and I hope you all were happy with the event! We would love to come back anytime! Again….thank you, We love it up there…you all are so friendly.”
~ Vicki Simmons – Musician and Song Writer
“I had a few seconds to talk to Cece and JE while they were driving to his next gig. JE said he much prefers Podunk to SP…he said it’s much better run, the site is much better, he’s treated really well, etc. Sounds like he’d be a good ambassador for the festival. And of course, the Lights would love to do it again, they had a great time (Bill is still gushing!). If you have a spot open for next summer, both JE and the Lights would be delighted to fill it.”
~ Linda Bolton, Northern Lights Management
“The Podunk provided us with a great lift. It brings together a warm, friendly collection of folks. It reminds me a lot of pro baseball, which I have been a part of for over 20 years. Baseball people, like bluegrass people, are a great fraternity. Thanks to all involved for being a gracious host to a truly magnificent event.”
~ Ken Lipshez
“We have been to a good many bluegrass festivals over the years, and would have to say that the quality, atmosphere, and friendliness of your festival was right up there with the best of them.”
~ Hank Childs
“One of the best run fests around and I go to at least three others on a regular basis”
~Sabrina Bunton
“Having been to every festival since the town hall meeting at the very beginning, this was the very
best festival of them all thanks to you all!”
~Bill Parker
“1) Quality of the talent on the stages (and picking in the campground) was superlative and far
exceeded my expectations for a festival of this size. 2) Campground picking was amazing. 3)
The small geographic footprint of the festival meant that everything was quick and convenient to
access. 4) Program layout and content. GREAT job. The map on the back cover with the schedule in the
middle was a brilliant layout.”
~Frank Murphy
“Everything was perfect. Easy access to the site, helpful volunteers, small venue, and well tended.
The bathrooms were clean a plentiful for the women and I appreciated being able to bring some
food. I am on a restricted diet and it made the day so much more enjoyable. Thank you for treating
us like responsible adults and not going through our bags. It was my favorite concert venue EVER.”
~Steve Clark
“You picked a great site, the lineup was excellent for a fest of this size, the main stage sound was
fabulous, and your whole crew made it comfortable and easy!”
~Steve Jacques
