Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2026

Prairie Sky on stage at Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2026. Photo by David Cupp.

June and early July bring the County Fair to the Del Mar Fairgrounds every year. More corn dogs, blooming onions, delectable treats, and dizzying rides than you can imagine. Amongst all the animals, photo and art exhibits, music acts, and more, is Bluegrass Day at the Fair. This year’s Bluegrass Day took place on Sunday, July 5 on the Avenue Stage. We (the San Diego Bluegrass Society and the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club) had the stage from 11am–5 pm.

The action started with a great concert by Stay Tuned, followed by an excellent set by the Ash Street Ramblers. Next up was Emma’s Gut Bucket Band, the SDBS charity outreach group bringing free music to assisted living facilities, center for the blind, schools and other charitable organizations. The Gut Bucketeers presented their unique variety of bluegrass, folk, old time,  and country.

The Band Scramble was up next. In this unique event, folks sign up and drop their name in a hat along with the instrument they play. Names are drawn at random and bands are formed. Each band is given about 15 minutes to meet, select a name, and work up three tunes. They then perform their tunes on the stage for judges who award prizes for best on each instrument, best male and female vocalist, and best youth. The Band Scramble is always a great crowd pleaser and this year was no exception. Here’s a rundown on this year’s winners:

Winning Band: Last Day at the Fair Grass
Guitar: TIm Condon & Kim Greist
Banjo: Jacob Blythe
Mandolin: Jim Blakemore
Fiddle: Willie Fleming
Harp: Richie Strell
Banjolele: Margaret Vanasse
Bass: Matt Davis
Male Vocal (Tie): Jacob Blythe & Willie Fleming
Female Vocal: Mary Jane Cupp
Guitar: Jim Adams
Notable Newcomer: Kevin “Kiki” Liao on Banjo (Judges Recommendation)

The inimitable Full Deck was up next with its unique blend of traditional and modern bluegrass. Long-running band Prairie Sky closed out the day as the final act of Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2026. If you missed it this year, look for us next year in 2027.

Enjoy these David Cupp photos of Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2026.

Stay Tuned opened Bluegrass Day at the Fair.

Ash Street Ramblers on stage at Bluegrass Day at the Fair.

The Full Deck was a crowd favorite.

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Dwight Worden, who has been writing a bluegrass column for the Troubadour since its beginning, plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass and is active in several bluegrass bands. He is a board member of the San Diego Bluegrass Society, a prior board member of the International Bluegrass Music Association, a recovering lawyer, a Del Mar council member for 10 years, and mayor of the City of Del Mar for two years.