Sullivan Backyard Bluegrass Festival grows from front-yard idea to national draw
•September 2, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
When Ed Herschberger first considered holding a bluegrass festival at his family’s Sullivan property, he thought a couple hundred people would make the first event a success.
About 800 showed up.
Eight festivals later, the Backyard Bluegrass Festival has grown into a two-day event that Herschberger estimates draws 1,200 to 1,500 people each day, with visitors traveling from neighboring states and across the country.
The festival will return Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12, at 790 Souther Road in Sullivan. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. This year’s event will be the final festival with free admission before organizers move to a ticketed format in 2027.
The idea began with the Herschberger family’s own experiences attending bluegrass festivals.