UPDATE!
April 11, 2021
A decision has been made by the host band, Mackville, to dissolve the Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival, held in Arthur, Illinois, the Saturday of each Labor Day Weekend.
Mackville started the festival in 2013 to honor a local bluegrass legend, Chet Kingery. Over the years the festival has taken place at Rockome Gardens, the Moultrie Douglas Fairgrounds and then the latest location, The Great Pumpkin Patch.
The decision to dissolve the event was not an easy one. Mackville reports that factors contributing to their decision include the rising costs of bands as well as the time and effort involved in organizing a successful festival.
Mackville appreciates the support and dedication they have received over the years, and would like to thank The Great Pumpkin Patch, sponsors, guests, family and friends, and all who may have contributed and helped in any way.
Mackville will continue to perform by request to keep their harmonious music going strong and do so with a piece of their hearts singing songs in remembrance of Chet Kingery.
For more information about Mackville, please visit www.mackvillebluegrass.com or call 217-578-3868.
WELCOME TO THE CHET KINGERY MEMORIAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
As the host band, Mackville, we would like to express our greatest gratitude to venue host, The Great Pumpkin Patch, our sponsors, our MC, Jay Martin, our sound engineers, past venues and sponsors, our fans, every band that has performed since our first festival in 2013, and all you bluegrass fans that attend. We feel you all have contributed to keeping this great big one-day festival to continue. We are now coming up on our six year festival. We are so excited to bring you the best of bluegrass to Central Illinois! A little town, Arthur, Illinois, is a small town, but big in heart. It is a fantastic town and countryside that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. You are only a stranger once. We hope you can come and spend the whole weekend with us here in the heart of Amish Country. There is a cheese festival in town all weekend as well as our bluegrass festival on Saturday. Below you can find out all about our local area with places to visit and stay while you are here and see for yourself what makes our area so special. We welcome you, and welcome you back!
CHET KINGERY MEMORIAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL NEWS
FESTIVAL CANCELLED 2020
We are excited to bring you updates to the Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival as well as our 2020 lineup! The date of the festival for 2020 will be Saturday, September 5th at the Great Pumpkin Patch, just south of Arthur, IL. We are eager to announce the lineup of BLUE HIGHWAY, DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS, THE ALEX LEACH BAND, MADDIE FLESNER & RIVERBRIDGE and host band, Mackville. For more information on the festival location, THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH, their website is: www.the200acres.com.
For more information, please contact Mackville at 217-578-3868 or email us above.
We are excited to bring you updates to the Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival as well as our 2020 lineup! The date of the festival for 2020 will be Saturday, September 5th at the Great Pumpkin Patch, just south of Arthur, IL. We are eager to announce the lineup of BLUE HIGHWAY, DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS, THE ALEX LEACH BAND, MADDIE FLESNER & RIVERBRIDGE and host band, Mackville. For more information on the festival location, THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH, their website is: www.the200acres.com.
For more information, please contact Mackville at 217-578-3868 or email us above.
2020 Festival Flyer
The first Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival was held on May 18, 2013 at Rockome Gardens. It's name was deemed and honored in memory of a great local bluegrass musician, Chet Kingery, who passed away in 1998. Below are a few photos of Chet Kingery on guitar with his band, Chet Kingery and the Knights of Bluegrass.
In Memory of Chet Kingery - 1931 - 1998
Our band, Mackville, is the host band for this festival. We are excited and proud to bring you this fantastic lineup of talent to this year's festival. Come and enjoy great music! We will be performing as well as the other bands listed below.
Mackville Bluegrass/Gospel Band
2020 LINEUP
BLUE HIGHWAY
We welcome BLUE HIGHWAY our festival!
From their website: www.bluehighwayband.com
* “Highly esteemed bluegrass band Blue Highway has earned a collective 28 IBMA Awards, 6 SPBGMA Awards, one Dove Award, plus three Grammy nominations as a band.
* Blue Highway's #1 album "Original Traditional" was nominated for a 2017 GRAMMY Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
* Blue Highway was voted the Favorite Bluegrass Artist of All Time by the readers of Bluegrass Today in April 2016.
* Tim Stafford received honors as 2015 SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year and 2014 and 2017 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
* Wayne Taylor was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2016.
* Shawn Lane was nominated as 2015 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
* The band's newest album "Somewhere Far Away: Silver Anniversary" released on August 2, 2019, has charted two # 1 songs to date, and is available in our Music Store.
* Blue Highway charted the Most Radio Airplay of any Bluegrass Artist in 2014, per the 2014 Bluegrass Today Radio Airplay Chart, storming national airplay charts with their heralded album 'The Game.'
* 'The Game' topped multiple charts at #1 including reigning at # 1 for 7 consecutive months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Album Chart, and was named the #1 Bluegrass Album of the Year by critic Daniel Mullins in his end of the year Top 20 Albums of 2014 list in Bluegrass Today.
*In 2019, Blue Highway celebrates 25 years of touring, with four of the original members still intact.
*As momentum continues to build for the 25 year strong powerhouse band, Blue Highway is rolling on with a rich legacy carried on by three powerhouse songwriters and vocalists in Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, and Shawn Lane, whose harmonies soar over the dynamic banjo of Jason Burleson and the tasteful Dobro of Gary Hultman."
From their website: www.bluehighwayband.com
* “Highly esteemed bluegrass band Blue Highway has earned a collective 28 IBMA Awards, 6 SPBGMA Awards, one Dove Award, plus three Grammy nominations as a band.
* Blue Highway's #1 album "Original Traditional" was nominated for a 2017 GRAMMY Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
* Blue Highway was voted the Favorite Bluegrass Artist of All Time by the readers of Bluegrass Today in April 2016.
* Tim Stafford received honors as 2015 SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year and 2014 and 2017 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
* Wayne Taylor was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2016.
* Shawn Lane was nominated as 2015 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
* The band's newest album "Somewhere Far Away: Silver Anniversary" released on August 2, 2019, has charted two # 1 songs to date, and is available in our Music Store.
* Blue Highway charted the Most Radio Airplay of any Bluegrass Artist in 2014, per the 2014 Bluegrass Today Radio Airplay Chart, storming national airplay charts with their heralded album 'The Game.'
* 'The Game' topped multiple charts at #1 including reigning at # 1 for 7 consecutive months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Album Chart, and was named the #1 Bluegrass Album of the Year by critic Daniel Mullins in his end of the year Top 20 Albums of 2014 list in Bluegrass Today.
*In 2019, Blue Highway celebrates 25 years of touring, with four of the original members still intact.
*As momentum continues to build for the 25 year strong powerhouse band, Blue Highway is rolling on with a rich legacy carried on by three powerhouse songwriters and vocalists in Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, and Shawn Lane, whose harmonies soar over the dynamic banjo of Jason Burleson and the tasteful Dobro of Gary Hultman."
DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS
We welcome DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS to our festival!
From their website: www.daviddavisandwrb.com/
"David Davis and the Warrior River Boys have long been recognized as modern leaders in traditional BlueGrass, but on their latest release “Didn’t He Ramble” : Songs of Charlie Poole, they throw genre boundaries aside by delving deeper into the roots of acoustic music. They have produced a masterful and exciting collection of songs originally recorded in the 1920’s by the legendary Charlie Poole and His North Carolina Ramblers, a generation before Bill Monroe is credited with founding Blue Grass music. “Our intentions was to evolve the songs, yet leave the strength and essence of the original feel as our foundation and build on that,” explains Davis.
“Didn’t He Ramble” is eagerly anticipated in Bluegrass circles, as well as more widely among fans of folk and acoustic music. Co-producer David Davis is leading the charge. He is a veteran picker appearing on numerous classic Bluegrass recordings and a recipient of countless awards in Bluegrass and Country Music.
Being that Poole and his music are the subject of such admiration, this is a musical repertoire some would find daunting to delve into with the Warrior River Boys energy, commitment and pure Bluegrass spirit. Davis’ own deep musical roots played a part in taking on this project, with his uncle Cleo having been the original Blue Grass Boy with Bill Monroe.
He grew up hearing bluegrass and early country music at his father’s knee. From those early influences in rural Alabama, Davis went on to sing with his dad, everything from Monroe Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys, to Cowboy Copas, and Ernest Tubb. At the impressionable age of twelve, with his family, he first heard Bill Monroe play live and his life was destined never to be the same.Bluegrass music has been Davis’ lifetime calling, and he brings the same intensity to interpreting Charlie Poole material as he does to the world of traditional BlueGrass.
David Davis joined Garry Thurmond and the Warrior River Boys in 1982 at the age of twenty one and by late 1984 accepted the role of bandleader. Since then, he and the band have appeared in forty- six states, all Canadian Provinces and the Bahamas.
In 2010, Davis was inducted into the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into The National Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the National Old-time Country Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Music in 2016."
From their website: www.daviddavisandwrb.com/
"David Davis and the Warrior River Boys have long been recognized as modern leaders in traditional BlueGrass, but on their latest release “Didn’t He Ramble” : Songs of Charlie Poole, they throw genre boundaries aside by delving deeper into the roots of acoustic music. They have produced a masterful and exciting collection of songs originally recorded in the 1920’s by the legendary Charlie Poole and His North Carolina Ramblers, a generation before Bill Monroe is credited with founding Blue Grass music. “Our intentions was to evolve the songs, yet leave the strength and essence of the original feel as our foundation and build on that,” explains Davis.
“Didn’t He Ramble” is eagerly anticipated in Bluegrass circles, as well as more widely among fans of folk and acoustic music. Co-producer David Davis is leading the charge. He is a veteran picker appearing on numerous classic Bluegrass recordings and a recipient of countless awards in Bluegrass and Country Music.
Being that Poole and his music are the subject of such admiration, this is a musical repertoire some would find daunting to delve into with the Warrior River Boys energy, commitment and pure Bluegrass spirit. Davis’ own deep musical roots played a part in taking on this project, with his uncle Cleo having been the original Blue Grass Boy with Bill Monroe.
He grew up hearing bluegrass and early country music at his father’s knee. From those early influences in rural Alabama, Davis went on to sing with his dad, everything from Monroe Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys, to Cowboy Copas, and Ernest Tubb. At the impressionable age of twelve, with his family, he first heard Bill Monroe play live and his life was destined never to be the same.Bluegrass music has been Davis’ lifetime calling, and he brings the same intensity to interpreting Charlie Poole material as he does to the world of traditional BlueGrass.
David Davis joined Garry Thurmond and the Warrior River Boys in 1982 at the age of twenty one and by late 1984 accepted the role of bandleader. Since then, he and the band have appeared in forty- six states, all Canadian Provinces and the Bahamas.
In 2010, Davis was inducted into the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into The National Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the National Old-time Country Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Music in 2016."
THE ALEX LEACH BAND
We welcome THE ALEX LEACH BAND to our festival!
From their website: www.alexleachmusic.com/
"Hailing from the mountains of East Tennessee, Alex Leach is the sound of a new generation. His "New Traditional" style brings the respect, honor, and feel from music of the "good ol' days" and mixes it with an updated twist.
Alex is no stranger to the world of music. At just 30 years of age, he has already been in the business for over 2 decades. From the age of nine, Alex has been a fixture in the Bluegrass realm. He got his start with a local roots radio station, WDVX, based out of Clinton, TN. One evening, his grandfather took him to meet the men responsible for the station, and a lifelong friendship and partnership began. News quickly spread of the charming 9 year old radio DJ, and Alex was sought after by many national and international news organizations. A two time SPBGMA "DJ of the Year" by the time he was 15, a young Alex was featured on CMT's "Big Ticket," the BBC, and Peter Jennings' "ABC World News Tonight." This February (2019) marked 20 years of Alex sending good, ole traditional bluegrass music through the airwaves at WDVX. Catch his show, the Bluegrass Spayshul, every Tuesday night from 7:00-10:00PM EST at www.wdvx.com.
After years of traveling with his grandfather to festival after festival and countless hours of learning how to play just about every stringed instrument there is, 19 year old Alex began working with bluegrass legend, Larry Gillis as a member of His Hard-Driving Bluegrass Band. He traveled the long roads and had many adventures with the group. It was during this time that he wrote his hit, "Mountain Heartache" with then-bass player Rafe Waters. This song has gone on to be played and recorded by bands worldwide.
After five years with Larry Gillis, Alex was offered a once-in-a-lifetime position with The Clinch Mountain Boys, now being led by Ralph Stanley II, son of the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley. In April 2014, Alex was given the opportunity to play on the Grand Ole Opry with Dr. Ralph, himself. Over the course of the next seven years, Alex toured all over the country with Ralph II and the Boys and enjoyed his time with the band tremendously.
Upon turning 30, Alex decided it was time to leave the "side-man" title behind and pursue his life-long dream of being the one standing center stage.
"This is a venture that I've been looking forward to all my life. I am so excited for the public to hear what I have been working so hard on."
In recent months, Alex has been featured in magazines like Bluegrass Unlimited, on TV programs such as The Bluegrass Trail (RFD-TV), and on radio programs such as "Hand Picked with Del" on Sirius XM's "Bluegrass Junction."
With influences ranging from The Stanley Brothers to The Beach Boys, and Curtis Mayfield to Porter Wagoner, Alex Leach's music is sure to delight, inspire, and get you out of your seat. As Alex dives head first into his third decade of life and music, he is looking forward to new collaborations, new material, and new adventures.
From their website: www.alexleachmusic.com/
"Hailing from the mountains of East Tennessee, Alex Leach is the sound of a new generation. His "New Traditional" style brings the respect, honor, and feel from music of the "good ol' days" and mixes it with an updated twist.
Alex is no stranger to the world of music. At just 30 years of age, he has already been in the business for over 2 decades. From the age of nine, Alex has been a fixture in the Bluegrass realm. He got his start with a local roots radio station, WDVX, based out of Clinton, TN. One evening, his grandfather took him to meet the men responsible for the station, and a lifelong friendship and partnership began. News quickly spread of the charming 9 year old radio DJ, and Alex was sought after by many national and international news organizations. A two time SPBGMA "DJ of the Year" by the time he was 15, a young Alex was featured on CMT's "Big Ticket," the BBC, and Peter Jennings' "ABC World News Tonight." This February (2019) marked 20 years of Alex sending good, ole traditional bluegrass music through the airwaves at WDVX. Catch his show, the Bluegrass Spayshul, every Tuesday night from 7:00-10:00PM EST at www.wdvx.com.
After years of traveling with his grandfather to festival after festival and countless hours of learning how to play just about every stringed instrument there is, 19 year old Alex began working with bluegrass legend, Larry Gillis as a member of His Hard-Driving Bluegrass Band. He traveled the long roads and had many adventures with the group. It was during this time that he wrote his hit, "Mountain Heartache" with then-bass player Rafe Waters. This song has gone on to be played and recorded by bands worldwide.
After five years with Larry Gillis, Alex was offered a once-in-a-lifetime position with The Clinch Mountain Boys, now being led by Ralph Stanley II, son of the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley. In April 2014, Alex was given the opportunity to play on the Grand Ole Opry with Dr. Ralph, himself. Over the course of the next seven years, Alex toured all over the country with Ralph II and the Boys and enjoyed his time with the band tremendously.
Upon turning 30, Alex decided it was time to leave the "side-man" title behind and pursue his life-long dream of being the one standing center stage.
"This is a venture that I've been looking forward to all my life. I am so excited for the public to hear what I have been working so hard on."
In recent months, Alex has been featured in magazines like Bluegrass Unlimited, on TV programs such as The Bluegrass Trail (RFD-TV), and on radio programs such as "Hand Picked with Del" on Sirius XM's "Bluegrass Junction."
With influences ranging from The Stanley Brothers to The Beach Boys, and Curtis Mayfield to Porter Wagoner, Alex Leach's music is sure to delight, inspire, and get you out of your seat. As Alex dives head first into his third decade of life and music, he is looking forward to new collaborations, new material, and new adventures.
MADDIE FLESNER & RIVERBRIDGE
We are excited to have MADDIE FLESNER & RIVERBRIDGE to our festival!
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Maddie-Flesner-RiverBridge-344203592773796/
Bio coming soon!
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Maddie-Flesner-RiverBridge-344203592773796/
Bio coming soon!
ABOUT THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH
The Great Pumpkin Patch
1749A E CR 1900 N, Arthur, IL 61911 Phone: 217-543-2394 Two miles south and 1/2 mile west of the village of Arthur. Watch for signs! |
Our venue is The Great Pumpkin Patch, located just south and west of Arthur, Illinois! It is a perfect setting for an outdoor bluegrass festival. Nestled in the heart of Illinois Amish Country, this working farmstead contains over 200 acres where they raise pumpkins and other varieties of gourds and squash. The Great Pumpkin Patch hosts a bakery, a sweet shop, gift shops, stage area, food court, farm animals, pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, maze, museum, haunted barn, wagon rides, numerous displays and many other fun activities with plenty of room to explore and enjoy outdoor country life and listen to the best of bluegrass and gospel music! There is plenty of parking and handicap parking is available. A huge tent will be available is there is a chance of rain. Please check out their website at http://the200acres.com for a full view of the wonderful time you will have in store at our new venue location! Please bring your lawn chairs and settle in for a wonderful day at The Great Pumpkin Patch!
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Best Western Plus Hotel Green Mill Village Hotel & Suites is a great place to stay for a relaxing and cozy weekend! Phone: 217-268-5000 for reservations.
HOTEL AND CAMPING INFORMATION
Unfortunately, we have no camping on site at our festival. Here are links and phone numbers to camping information close to and in and around our area. Thank you!
Unfortunately, we have no camping on site at our festival. Here are links and phone numbers to camping information close to and in and around our area. Thank you!
- Area Hotels Within 20 Miles from TripAdvisor
- Arthur, Illinois - E.L. Jurgens Park - It is located behind the high school next to the pool and ball diamonds at the Moultrie Douglas County Fairgrounds, and is on a first come first served basis.
- Area Campgrounds and RV Parks Within 20 Miles
ARTHUR CHEESE FESTIVAL
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 5, 6 & 7 - Saturday - Monday
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Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival Sponsors -2019
We would like to say THANK YOU for your contribution to this festival! Without the support of these sponsors, this festival would not be possible. Please patronize these businesses or just say THANK YOU to them for their support and contribution.
Yoder's Kitchen
1195 E. Columbia, Rt. 133
Arthur, Illinois 61911
Website: http://www.yoderskitchen.net
Coach House Garages
700 Mill Street,
Arthur, Illinois 61911
Website: http://www.coachhousegarages.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachHouseGarages/
700 Mill Street,
Arthur, Illinois 61911
Website: http://www.coachhousegarages.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachHouseGarages/
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The Upper Bout 723 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 Website: https://www.theupperbout.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUpperBout/ Look for their tent at our festival with instruments, accessories and more with special events planned throughout the festival! |
HH Transportation Services
208 E Fourth Street
Arthur, IL 61911
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Jo's Country Diner
398 Rt 133 Arthur, IL 61911 Website: https://www.joscountrydiner.com/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jos-Country-Diner-and-Catering-633348853478878/ |
Crist Termite & Pest Solutions
207 North Oak
Arthur, IL 61911
Website: www.cristtermite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CristTermite/
207 North Oak
Arthur, IL 61911
Website: www.cristtermite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CristTermite/
Arthur Oral Health Care
525 N. Vine Street
Arthur, Illinois
217-543-2129
525 N. Vine Street
Arthur, Illinois
217-543-2129
Roselen's Coffees & Delights
1045 E Columbia St
Arthur, IL 61911
Kingery Motors
50 E Us Highway 36
Atwood, Illinois 61913
50 E Us Highway 36
Atwood, Illinois 61913
Kauffman's Custom Wood Interiors
504 E CR 650 N
Tuscola, IL 61953
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kauffmans-Custom-Wood-Interiors-632715483413163/
504 E CR 650 N
Tuscola, IL 61953
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kauffmans-Custom-Wood-Interiors-632715483413163/
Schlabach's Bike Shop
1061 E Columbia St, Arthur, Illinois
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Schlabachs-Bike- Shop-473772366154508/
Beck's Seeds - Colby Herschberger
Windswept Seed Company
416 Prairie Street, Arthur, IL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windswept- Seed-Company-742284172580361/
Windswept Seed Company
416 Prairie Street, Arthur, IL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windswept- Seed-Company-742284172580361/
State Farm - John Davis Agency
800 S. Embarras
Tuscola, IL 61953
Website: www.johndavisagency.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johndavisagency
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Jack Flash
wortmanstores.com https://www.facebook.com/JackFlashStores/ Locations in Effingham, Danville, Mattoon, Farina, Flora, Vandalia, Farmersville, Altamont, Arcola and our festival hometown in Arthur! |
Bella Vista Farms
506 E County Road 300N
Arcola, IL 61953
Past Festival Flyers
FESTIVAL WEATHER WATCH
