Appaloosa Roots Music Festival  has announced the initial lineup for Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2018, will include not one, but three, of my personal favorites — North Carolina-based Mandolin Orange, Town Mountain and Fireside Collective — thanks in part to a grant from the state of Virginia’s tourism folks, otherwise known as “Virginia is for Lovers.”

MerleFest fan favorite, Celtic rockers Scythian, started Appaloosa about an hour west of Washington, D.C., (depending on traffic of course) four years ago. Located at Skyline Ranch and Resort in Front Royal, the festival has quickly becoming a Labor Day tradition for fans of Americana, roots, alt-country, and of course, Irish fiddle tunes.  The campground where Appaloosa is held is nestled among the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley Wine (and Whiskey) Trail.

Don’t wait to make your Labor Day plans because tickets can be purchased for 50 percent off the regular price through Monday, April 30. Early Bird Tickets for sale here. 

According to organizers, the Super VIP lodging options are flying off the shelf with 75 percent of the cabins sold and 25 percent of the chalets. Visit www.appaloosafestival.com for more information.

“Mandolin Orange is headlining MerleFest this weekend and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them at our fest,” writes Scythian’s Dan Fedoryka in an email. “Here’s their Paste Studios performance which illustrates their haunting vocals.”