CONWAY, Mo. – This week kicks off the second Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival of the year in Conway, Missouri. The Day family has presented two shows a year for 30 years.
Kathy Day-Lane told The Heartlander that her father, Don Day started the festival because he realized that people do not always have the opportunity to hear live bluegrass music.
“He saw that bluegrass music was a good thing,” she said, “So, he decided to start a little show back in 1986. He built a small stage and had a couple of food buildings built. Then it just grew every year, and more and more people came.”
Day-Lane is one of three children, all of whom have been involved since the beginning to ensure that things run smoothly. Her father is now 84-years-old and she says that he still excitedly attends every festival.
Delores Evans of Mountain Grove has been visiting the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival for 15 years and says that in her opinion, it is the best bluegrass festival in the region.
“There is always good, traditional bluegrass music and great food,” Evans said. “The ice cream and fried fish are our favorites. Oh, and you can’t forget the homemade pies. I started bringing my granddaughter six years ago, it’s the highlight of our summer. This will be the first one she has to miss due to school.”
The festival provides a variety of food and drink vendors with all of the fair and festival flagship options including funnel cakes, pulled pork sandwiches, kettle corn and more. Breakfast is also served from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The festival also allows spectators to camp on the property for a small fee, and the Day family expects at least 400 campers to attend this year.
The band lineup consists of mostly national bands with a few local bands mixed into the fold. This September’s event will host the following artists:
- Thursday: Appalachian Road Show, Special Consensus, Tim Graves and Farmhands, and Danny Paisley.
- Friday: Larry Stephenson Band, Tim Graces and Farmhands, Greg Blake Band, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Phillip Steinmetz & His Sunny Tennesseans, and Danny Paisley.
- Saturday: Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, Greg Blake Band, Phillip Steinmetz & His Sunny Tennesseans, That Dalton Gang, and Casey Freeland & Atta Boys.
Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival is located at 1933 Bluegrass Road, Conway, Mo. 65632. The music and festivities begin on Thursday, September 16th and will conclude on Saturday evening. Those interested can find more information about the festival at the Starvy Creek Bluegrass website or reach out via email to starvycreekbluegrass@gmail.com with any questions.
