Beech Tree News Network

Bluegrass music was heard all around Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro, Ky this past weekend at the sixteenth annual ROMP Festival.

Fans came from 37 states and six countries to gather for this four-day music festival taking place from June 26-29. The festival is hosted by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a non-profit organization that has been working for many years to preserve Bluegrass music and bring appreciation to the area. The ROMP Fest serves as a way to do this and brings over $1 million to the city every year.

Festival goers are given the option to attend all four days of the festival or purchase tickets for select days. Onsite RV and tent camping was also available.

Headliners included Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless and Sam Bush. Others performers also included Billy Strings, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Dustbowl Revival.

Singer, songwriter and mandolinist Jeff Austin of the Jeff Austin Band was among the many scheduled to perform at ROMP. Austin passed suddenly on June 24, just two days before ROMP.

Along with live music, local and craft vendors were present as well as art installations and children’s activities available for all those in attendance. Food vendors present included The Pizza Revolution, Fresh. By Genes, Chaney's Dairy Barn, Moonlite Bar-B-Q, J's Good Grub, "Lil" Cheezers Gourmet Grilled Cheese and more.

The dates for next year’s ROMP were released on Monday. ROMP will take place next year at Yellow Creek Park on June 24-27.

To see the full line-up of artists that performed at this year’s romp or to donate to the Jeff Austin Fund, visit rompfest.com.