Kingston

Pickamania started in the 1980s as a small backyard party and has grown into an annual festival celebrating acoustic music of all genres.

The 2023 festival will feature bluegrass, Americana, folk, and blues musicians and will pay tribute to Bill Bussmann, the founder of Pickamania, who passed away in May. Bill was known worldwide for his hand-crafted mandolins and was also an accomplished bass player.

Tickets are $20 for Friday, $40 for Saturday, or $50 for the weekend. Sunday is free, but donations will be accepted. Tickets can be purchased online for a small upcharge.

Seating at the outdoor pavilion includes chairs on the grass, with scattered benches under shade trees. Guests are welcome to bring their own camp chairs, shade and picnic baskets.  Black Range Vineyards will also be on hand to offer wine and beer for purchase.

If you are coming for the weekend and need camping accommodations, you can make use of free primitive camping in the Gila. A small, free USFS campground near Percha Creek just east of Kingston is also available , or inquire at the Hillsboro RV Village (9 miles from Kingston).

2023 Pickamania Musical Lineup:

Friday, September 8 – gates open at 5

5:30pm: Pot Luck

6-7pm: Gabrielle Louise with Ryan Dilts
Paonia, CO — Inspiring Folk Originals

7:30 pm – 9pm: Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin
Nashville, TN — Country, Folk & Bluegrass

Saturday, September 9 – gates open at 2

3 – 4pm: Duke City Swamp Coolers

4:30 – 5:30pm: Tim Weed

6 – 7 pm: Peter McLaughlin & Chris Brashear
Tucson, AZ — Southwestern Bluegrass

7:30 – 9pm: Bluegrass Super Jam

Sunday, September 10 – gates open at 10:30am

11am: Gospel Hour Singalong

11am – 4pm: Celebration of Life for Bill Bussmann
Starting with a Gospel Hour Singalong and a Community Pot Luck, followed by memories of Bill and music from Bill’s family, many friends and former bandmates, including the Hard Road Trio, the Hassle Family, the 24/7 Blues Band, the Miner’s Garage Band, and notably Bill’s son Ezra Bussmann, who is accomplished on multiple stringed instruments.