GottaGetGon Folk Festival

About this event

The GottaGetGon is a family-friendly folk music festival put on by volunteers of the Pick-in' and Singin' Gatherin' every Memorial Day Weekend at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.

This volunteer-run event welcomes adults, teens, and children to enjoy a weekend of shared music and friendship, running from 9:00 AM on Friday until 4:00 PM on Monday.

An all-weekend ticket costs 80 dollars in advance or 100 dollars at the gate, both of which include camping. Daily tickets are available for 40 dollars in advance or 50 dollars at the gate. Student tickets are offered at half-price, and children under 18 can attend for free with an adult ticket purchase. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/gottagetgon--2026, while full-price tickets will be available at the gate.

The festival features four headliners who will offer formal concerts and workshops under the cover of 4H buildings and pavilions, ensuring the event goes on rain or shine. This year's featured artists include Lexi Ugelow, a Cambridge-based vocalist and songwriter who specializes in intergenerational community singing, and The Johnson Girls, an energetic all-woman a cappella ensemble performing traditional and contemporary sea and shore music. Also headlining are Jenna Nicholls, an accomplished vocalist and songwriter performing Tin Pan Alley and Great American Songbook classics alongside Jon LaDeau, and After Jack, a female duo from the Blue Ridge Mountains performing traditional and original music with harmony vocals, fiddle, and banjo. Beyond the formal performances, attendees are encouraged to participate in casual jamming around the campgrounds throughout the weekend.

The festival schedule includes a variety of special events, beginning with a Potluck Dinner on Friday night followed by a performance by local bluegrass quartet Stringy and the Beans. A Barn Dance will be held on Saturday night, followed by a Sunday Morning Gospel Sing, an a cappella sing at dusk on Sunday, and a final recitation session on Monday morning.

Camping is included and highly encouraged with the weekend fee, and plenty of space is available, though attendees should note there is limited shade and plan accordingly. Electric hookups are available, and all campers must follow State and Fairground regulations. For dining, the "Burgers around the World" food concession will provide an on-site option, and there are also numerous local restaurants nearby in Ballston Spa and the surrounding area.

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