The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival has celebrated the life and musical legacy of St. Augustinian Gamble Rogers for more than 27 years. Hailing originally from Winter Park, Rogers became not only a pivotal figure in American folk music, guitarist extraordinaire, humorist and storyteller, but also a local legend and hero, beloved by all who knew him.
The upcoming 28th Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival continues these long-running traditions and festivities with more than 100 performers on four stages over three days. It will be held April 12-14 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207 in Elkton.
Featuring a balanced blend of seasoned and up-and-coming performers is a hallmark of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival. Headliners include AJ Lee & Blue Summit and the John Jorgenson Quintet, with supporting acts Verlon Thompson, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, Remedy Tree, The Krickets, Red & Christopher Henry & their All-Star Band, and Wyatt Ellis.
AJ Lee & Blue Summit is a golden grass band from the Bay Area that draws influences from country, soul, swing, rock and jam music. John Jorgenson Quintet is a dynamic, authentic gypsy jazz band led by music virtuoso John Jorgenson, known for his fast guitar licks.
With legend Gamble Rogers once calling St. Augustine home, it’s only right that the festival features the region’s best local performers. The following regional and local artists will perform:
Chelsea Saddler, Davis Loose & Friends, The North Florida Taildraggers, The Morrow Family Band, Patchwork, Brian Smalley, Lauren Heintz, Thick & Thin String Band, Uncle Mosie, Chuck and Laura Rogers, Lyn Rogers Lacey, The Bullard Brothers, Passerine, Dawson Hicks, Bear & Robert, ManChild, Doug Spears & The Cracker Collective, The Dunehoppers,
Michael Jordan, Mary-Lou & Friends, Lee Hunter, Joey Kerr, The Front Porch Backsteppers, Ghost & Bones, Chuck Hardwicke & The Hart Line, Little Mercies, Wax Wings, Paul Smithson, Tina & Her Pony, SUMA, Jerry Mincey with Tony Macaluso, Don Cooper, Jim Carrick, Charley Simmons, Larry Mangum,
Mike Shackleford, Neil Dixon, Alana DeBow, Aslyn Baringer McTaggart, Jerry Carris, Tim Higgins, Sue Tice, Eric Searcy, Scott Anderson, Susan Brown, Frank Douglas, Frank Lindamood, Ron & Bari Litschauer, Jeanie Fitchen, Joe Mark and Jim Bickerstaff.
One of the highlights of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is The YoungFolk Stage, where a new generation of musicians have an opportunity to perform on a nationally recognized professional stage. These up-and-coming performers are 19 years and younger, showing that the folk music tradition is for all ages.
Supporting headliner and mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis will be a YoungFolk Stage highlight performance. YoungFolk performers include:
Lauren Gilliam, Kade Robertson, Sam Patterson, Eloise Arnold, Katherine Archer, The Rogers Family, Faith Alene, Ben Brown, Ben Koppman, Paige Bechtold, Daniel Hecht, Ben Edwards, Gamble Rogers Middle School Jazz Band,
Victoria Griffin, Alivia Hunter, Michael Lagasse, Grayson Lagasse, Jessalyn Lauramore, Jesse Loose, Elcie Nilon, Jesse Sawyer, Sydney Thomas, St. Augustine High School American Music Class, Callum Toner and Madison Wardell.
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased in advance or at the gate. Advance purchase general admission tickets are $100 for the full three-day festival (April 12-14), $35 for Friday night (April 12), $65 for the full-day Saturday (April 13), and $35 for the full-day Sunday (April 14).
Gate general admission tickets are $120 for the full three-day festival (April 12-14), $40 for Friday night (April 12), $70 for the full-day Saturday (April 13), and $40 for the full-day Sunday (April 14).
Admission is free to kids age 16 and younger. Primitive camping and RV sites are available for festivalgoers. Primitive tent sites are $30, RV sites are $100 and RV overflow parking is $75 for the three-day festival.
Food trucks, local artisans, craft vendors, activities for kids, workshops and more will be on-site. Well-behaved and leashed pets are also welcome. Bring blankets, hammocks and chairs.
Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com/o/gamble-rogers-folk-festival-51483367423.
