Once again, the Arkansas Bluegrass & Strings Festival in Springdale brought people together from all corners of the region: families, old-time musicians, first-time festival-goers, kids with fiddles taller than they are, and elders who’ve been carrying these tunes for generations. It’s one of those rare places where time slows down, where music feels like the glue that binds community, memory, and heritage together.
The people behind this festival are passionate through and through. They care deeply about the musicians, the craft, and the role that songs play in preserving the stories of our region and beyond. Every set seems to honor the past while breathing fresh life into the present.
Las Baladas: When the Auditorium Went Silent
One of the most moving moments of the weekend came during Las Baladas with Carolina Mendoza and Larry & Joe.
As they sang ballads about the immigrant experience stories of courage, longing, hope, and identity, the entire auditorium fell silent. You could feel the emotion rise and settle like a wave. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a shared moment of connection. For a few minutes, everyone breathed in the same story, feeling the weight and beauty of navigating life in America through their music.
When songs can silence a crowd and open hearts at the same time that’s when you know you’re witnessing something special.
Jerry “Harmonica” Bean: A True Blues Man
Another unforgettable highlight came from Jerry “Harmonica” Bean, a storyteller in every sense of the word.
Jerry shared his journey into becoming a musician yelling out life stories between riffs, laughing, playing from deep in his bones, and pulling the audience into his world one note at a time. At one point, he couldn’t move from his spot, so the audience simply came to him.
That’s the magic of Jerry:
No flash. No pretense.
Just grit, humor, spirit, and blues.
He was captivating, spirited, and raw – a true blues man carrying the tradition forward with heart and honesty.
Late-Night Square Dancing: Where Every Generation Belongs
Even after long days of top-notch, intimate music, the joy didn’t stop.
The late-night square dancing kept the energy alive with callers who commanded the floor directing longtime dancers, first-timers, and the brave souls who just stepped into the circle because it looked too fun not to.
And in true festival fashion musicians themselves jumped in and enjoyed the joy of dancing.
It was the kind of laughter-filled chaos that makes these festivals feel like home.
The Bledsoes: 2025 Ozarks Stringband Champions
All weekend long, a quiet father-daughter duo could be seen observing sets, soaking in the music, and supporting their fellow musicians.
Then came the big news: The Bledsoes won the 2025 Ozarks Stringband Championship!
Maya has been studying the tunes of Violet Hensley and learning with Betse Ellis, carrying forward the rich lineage of female fiddlers of the Ozarks. With her dad beside her encouraging, steady, and proud their win felt like a celebration of tradition, family, and future all at once.
Way to go, Bledsoes! Arkansas is cheering for you.
Chicot Bluegrass Band & Don Flemons: Future Stars in the Making
Another show stopping moment came when the Chicot Cheetah Bluegrass Band took the stage alongside Grammy-nominated Dom Flemons.
The crowd lit up not just by the musicians’ achievements, but by the energy of a great teacher leading his young students with excitement and encouragement. He reminded them to:
- do their best,
- be respectful,
- enjoy the moment,
- and take it all in.
He even guided the crowd closer to the stage, giving everyone a front-row view of these budding entertainers.
What a gift for these young musicians to start their journey sharing a stage with a Grammy-recognized performer.
Chicot Bluegrass Band is absolutely one to watch. We’re pretty sure they’ve caught the performer’s bug, and Arkansas will be seeing much more of them in the years ahead.
Small Rooms, Big Stories: The Heart of This Festival
What makes this festival so special isn’t just the talent it’s the intimacy.
Tiny rooms filled with old time tunes and fresh new tunes.
Hallways where strangers strike up conversations about who taught them their first chords.
Moments where a single fiddle can quiet a crowd.
Late nights where laughter echoes off the walls.
This festival creates dozens of these small, meaningful encounters spaces where music makes people feel seen, connected, and part of something bigger.
Until Next Year
The Arkansas Bluegrass & Strings Festival once again delivered a weekend full of heart, heritage, and music that brings us back to our roots.
If you love stories, tradition, and the kind of music that reminds you who you are put this festival on your list for next year. You’ll walk away lighter, inspired, and connected to the community in ways only music can make possible.
