The Infamous Weekend 9.19 - 9.21.24

Pop's Farm

Martinsville, VA

Words & Photos by C. Alan Crandall (Rocky Mountain Jams)

The 2nd Annual Infamous Weekend, hosted by the Grammy-winning bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters, was a resounding success. Held from September 19-21, 2024, at the scenic Pop’s Farm near Martinsville, VA, this festival offered an incredible blend of music, outdoor activities, and community. Over three days, attendees were treated to six electrifying sets by The Infamous Stringdusters alongside performances by Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, The Lil Smokies, The Last Revel, The Jon Stickley Trio and many more, all of whom delivered captivating sets that resonated with the idyllic warm fall weather.

The family-friendly atmosphere of the festival made it accessible to a wide range of attendees, with options for camping, RVs, and even glamping. Beyond the music, festivalgoers enjoyed unique activities like Yoga, river floats, fly fishing, pedal boats, and disc golf, thanks to the partnership with Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Adventures like biking with Travis Book to Mountain Valley Brewing and self-guided hikes enhanced the immersive outdoor experience.

VIP patrons were treated to several special events over the weekend. The first of which was a Thursday evening concert (with other Thursday ticket holders), a Friday Infamous Stringdusters Meet & Greet by the lake, and a special VIP concert and band signing held shortly after the afternoon VIP concert on Saturday. Many of the Stringdusters' dedicated fans were in attendance and even sported an event-themed tie-dye t-shirt for Saturday's VIP events. The shirts were created by Jenn DiBuo and were a hit on Saturday. The band’s fiddle player Jeremy Garrett even posed with the group known as the “Jamily.”

The vendor lineup added a creative flair, with artisan goods ranging from handmade soaps and batiks to body art and tie-dye apparel. The warm, dry weather was the perfect backdrop for a festival defined by high spirits, masterful performances, and community connection. The Infamous Weekend has quickly solidified its place as a can’t-miss event for bluegrass fans and outdoor enthusiasts alike, continuing to grow in its second year.

The Infamous Weekend is managed by the same group that organizes the well-known Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival. Rooster Walk is a charitable organization born from tragedy. Created in memory of Edwin “the Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, two childhood friends who passed away in their 20s, Rooster Walk was envisioned as a celebration of life, emphasizing the importance of cherishing every moment. Since its inception, the festival has been a community-driven initiative, raising over $323,000 for local and regional charities, with much of the funds going toward the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund for outstanding seniors at Martinsville High School.

When the Rooster Walk team was looking for a fall event to complement their main festival, they reached out to the Infamous Stringdusters. They could have selected several popular touring acts but approached the Stringdusters' management team due to the band being top-quality musicians and all-around great people.  The Rooster Walk team welcomed the Dusters fans who are also considered classy.

In addition to supporting education, Rooster Walk has expanded its charitable work through its Music Instrument Program, which provides refurbished band instruments to first- and second-year students in Martinsville and Henry County schools. This initiative, launched in memory of Todd Eure, ensures that young musicians who might not have the financial means to afford an instrument can still participate in their school’s band programs. Rooster Walk has donated over $37,000 to this program, which also provides micro-grants to local schools for music-related needs.

Rooster Walk has become a vital part of the Martinsville community, contributing to local tourism, the arts, and education while continuing to honor the memory of the friends who inspired its creation. Put this festival on your radar. A limited number of tickets are sold for each festival, ensuring the event is not overcrowded. The festival staff are as nice as you will find anywhere. We plan to return to this festival as long as they continue holding music gatherings, for non-profit good causes, on Pop's Farm in Martinsville, VA.

If you would like to support Rooster Walk’s charitable initiatives, monetary donations are accepted via PayPal at roosterwalk@gmail.com, or by check made out to Rooster Walk Inc. To designate your donation for a specific cause, such as the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Music Instrument Program, simply include the fund name in the memo line. Rooster Walk Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making all donations tax-deductible. Checks can be mailed to Rooster Walk Inc., PO Box 601, Martinsville, VA 24114. Your contribution helps fund their vital work in the community, from supporting education to providing instruments for young musicians!

This is the second year the Infamous Stringdusters have teamed up with Rooster Walk to hold the Infamous Weekend. Fans are hoping for an Infamous Weekend 3 to help celebrate the Infamous Stringdusters' 20th anniversary which will happen in 2025.

For more information, please visit www.infamousstringdusters.com and or www.roosterwalk.com!

Alan's Photo Gallery

www.infamousweekend.com