Peter Gillem

Even with a smoky start, a tornado warning and a few scattered heavy rainstorms, the 34th Annual Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival once again transformed the Trumansburg Fairgrounds into one of the most colorful and vibrant weekends of the summer. Despite the weather – more than 12,000 festival attendees filled the grounds for four days of music, art, camping, and community, with over 80 artists performing across four stages from morning until well after midnight.

This year’s festival came with a little bit of everything. Thursday opened under hazy skies as smoke from the Canadian wildfires rolled in- prompting air quality alerts and free N95 masks for attendees. By Saturday, heavy rain rolled through the fairgrounds, forcing a brief delay before the music resumed. Once the storms passed, the mud quickly became part of the fun, with barefoot dancers, ponchos, and everyone was embracing the Grassroots experience.

Beyond the stages, Grassroots was just as lively. Local artisans and craft vendors lined the fairgrounds alongside dozens of food stands, while families spent the weekend exploring the grounds, kids played and danced in the children’s area, and attendees of every age came together to enjoy the music. It’s that laid-back, welcoming community feeling atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year.

Festival favorites Donna the Buffalo brought their signature energy, while Grammy Award winners Rhiannon Giddens and Taj Mahal delivered two of the weekend’s most memorable performances. Dakha Brakha captivated with a powerful blend of Ukrainian folk and world music. Local favorites Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots proudly represented the Finger Lakes music scene. Pennsylvania-based Ma’am also stood out earning plenty of new fans throughout the weekend. From folk and bluegrass to world music and Americana, the 2026 lineup offered something for everyone.