Fayetteville Roots Festival set for Thursday-Saturday

Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) / Courtesy

Fayetteville Roots Festival will look a little bit different this year due to the pandemic, but as they say in the Roots Festival business, “the show must go on, just outdoors with some additional safety measures in place.”

Instead of the multi-venue event it has been in years past, the festival this year will take place entirely outdoors on the grounds of Pratt Place Inn and Barn, located at 2231 W Markham Rd, during the weekend of Aug. 26-28.

Festival organizers announced on their website that all attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination to attend, including a vaccination card, copy of vaccination card, picture of your Vaccination card on your phone, etc.

Masks will be required for all staff and volunteers as well, organizers posted on the festival website, and will be required for patrons in the food village, when checking in at the festival gate, when ordering drinks at the bar, when purchasing merch, or when inside a restroom facility. Masks are also recommended for patrons when not seated at a table or in a socially-distanced general admission section.

Health check guidelines will also be in place, and capacity will be limited as well.

Headliners include Shovels & Rope, Watchhouse (formerly known as Mandolin Orange), Capitol Sun Rays (a supergroup made up of Amy Helm, Luther Dickinson of North Missisippi of Allstars, and Graham Lesh) and more.

The event will kick off on Thursday with folk duo Shovels & Rope (one of the bands set to headline last year before the pandemic), along with blues multi-instrumentalist Cedric Burnside and Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Poltz.

Shovels and Rope / Courtesy

On Friday, the lineup includes North Carolina duo Watchhouse (formerly known as Mandolin Orange), who was also set to headline last year before the pandemic shelved the 2020 event. Friday performers also include LA songwriter Madison Cunningham, and poet/songwriter Allison Russell.

Another supergroup – Capitol Sun Rays – will headline the Saturday show. The band includes songwriter Amy Helm, Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars, and Graham Lesh (singer/guitarist for Midnight North & The Terrapin Family Band, son of Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh). Also on the Saturday night bill are Grammy nominated Mardi Gras Indian funk band Cha Wa, songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard, and old-time multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons.

Cedric Burnside / Courtesy

Music will begin each evening at 5 p.m.

According to the website, all tickets to the event are sold out. For a bit more information, visit fayettevilleroots.org.

Fayetteville Roots Festival 2021 Lineup

Thursday, Aug. 26
Shovels & Rope
Cedric Burnside
Steve Poltz

Friday, Aug. 27
Mandolin Orange
Madison Cunningham
Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago, Our Native Daughters)

Saturday, Aug. 28
Capitol Sun Rays featuring Amy Helm, members of Birds of Chicago, Luther Dickinson, & Graham Lesh
Cha Wa
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Dom Flemons