Alan Tompkins, President of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation provided an update that the Bluegrass Festival is still Bloomin’ but with modifications. The recent weather in Farmers Branch has caused the Festival grounds to become saturated and more rain in the forecast requires that the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival be relocated indoors.  The Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West is the Festival host hotel and they are graciously providing an intimate concert setting.

“Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival 2018 is on and it’s going to be better than ever. It’s all inside in the hotel ballroom,” says Alan Tompkins. 

Due to the limited space within the ballroom, ticket sales have been closed and are no longer available. The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival is October 19-20, 2018 and all online advance ticket holder will be permitted to attend. Pre-purchased Stay & Play Packages at one of the Farmers Branch hotels will be honored. Dry camping is no longer available.

Rooms are still available at Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West starting at $92 per night and Wyndham Garden Dallas North, but the DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas in Farmers Branch is completely sold out.  The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival rate includes breakfast, shuttle service to and from the Festival and two complimentary weekend passes.

“We won’t have any early entry on this because we’re going to need every minute possible to get ready for these shows. But we will refund anyone that’s bought an early entry pass. You don’t need to worry about that,” says Tompkins. 

In addition to what guests will find within the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West there will be a selection of food trucks in the parking lot. The following activities are no longer offered: the Kid Zone, Marketplace, and Taste of Texas.

The doors will open on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 4:30 p.m and the show starts at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday, October 20, 2018 the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the show begins at 12:00 p.m.  Follow the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival on Facebook for band announcements and on-site coverage this weekend.

So that as many people as possible will be able to watch at least a portion of the festival from the ballroom seating area, we will be clearing and re-seating the general-admission ballroom once on Friday (after Rhonda Vincent) night and twice on Saturday (after Gibson Brothers; after Seldom Scene). All attendees will need to depart the ballroom (with all personal belongings) and re-enter through the main entry doors. When the room capacity is reached, attendees will need to wait until others leave, wait for the next re-seating, or enjoy the show in the simulcast room. We apologize for the inconvenience but must take this step to ensure that as many attendees as possible have an opportunity to sit close and enjoy some live music.

For those who did not purchase tickets to Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival but would still like to be a part of the action, jammin’ spots will be available around the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West! Parking for this will be at One Colinas Crossing, 11701 Luna Road, Farmers Branch, TX 75234, with the option to walk over to the Omni, or for those with large instruments, catch a shuttle from the Double Tree hotel.

The 2018 Celebration of Roses event held during the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival has been canceled.  Don’t let this rain on your parade. The American Rose Society South Central District will be showcasing the most exquisite blooms in their Rose Show inside Farmers Branch City Hall from 12:30 to 4:00 pm.  Visit www.fbroses.com for more details.

HALL OF FAMERS DEL MCCOURY, RICKY SKAGGS AND BOBBY OSBORNE TO APPEAR AT BLOOMIN’ BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL