Route 23 Bluegrass Festival

View on map
MusicPiketon
Dates2–6 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsWhat sets Route 23 apart is its scale and
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Route 23 Bluegrass Festival in Piketon

Route 23 Bluegrass Festival, formerly known as SamJam Bluegrass Festival, is a five-day, IBMA award-recognized bluegrass gathering held over Labor Day week at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Piketon, Ohio. The festival draws touring headliners and regional pickers alike, with more than 300 camping hookups on-site, weeklong and single-day tickets, and proceeds from camping fees supporting the county's 4-H program.

Pike County Fairgrounds in the rolling foothills of southern Ohio hosts a five-day bluegrass gathering each Labor Day week that started under a different name: SamJam Bluegrass Festival, before organizers rebranded it as Route 23 Bluegrass Festival, a nod to the highway that runs through Piketon and much of Appalachian Ohio.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets Route 23 apart is its scale and duration: five full days built around a Labor Day week schedule rather than a single weekend, with a lineup mixing nationally touring bluegrass headliners and rising regional acts across the Pike County Fairgrounds stages

02

The mystery stays covered

Extensive on-site camping, including more than 300 hookup sites and primitive tent areas, turns the festival into a communal camping trip where informal picking circles form around campfires late into the night

03

The city starts moving

The festival also functions as a direct community fundraiser, since proceeds from camping fees go to the local 4-H program, tying the music event to youth agricultural education in Pike County

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's roots as SamJam Bluegrass Festival before its rebrand as Route 23 Bluegrass Festival remain part of its identity

Water and renewal

Living ritual

tying the event to the Route 23 corridor that runs through Piketon and much of Appalachian Ohio's bluegrass country

The sacred route

Living ritual

campground-wide picking circles that form independently of the scheduled stage acts are a defining part of the week for regular attendees

The local code

Living ritual

Tying camping-fee proceeds directly to the Pike County 4-H program has also become an established part of how the festival positions itself as a community fixture rather than a purely commercial concert week

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

2–6 September 2026

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Casual, weather-ready outdoor clothing is standard: shorts and t-shirts for hot early-September afternoons, with a jacket or flannel for cooler nights around the campfire. Sturdy closed-toe...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.07 N, 83.01 WOpen in Google Maps

Piketon, United States

TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Piketon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Piketon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, weather-ready outdoor clothing is standard: shorts and t-shirts for hot early-September afternoons, with a jacket or flannel for cooler nights around the campfire. Sturdy closed-toe shoes hold up better than sandals on fairgrounds gravel and grass. Because the festival runs a full week, packing for changing weather, including a rain jacket, is more important than at a single-day event.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Route 23 Bluegrass Festival?

Route 23 Bluegrass Festival is listed for 2–6 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Route 23 Bluegrass Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Piketon, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Piketon, United States

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLroute23bluegrass.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates2–6 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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