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ABOUT US

Who We Are

The Summertime Bluegrass Festival is operated by The Summerland Bluegrass Society. Our mission goes beyond putting on an annual bluegrass festival (except for 2020 & 2021, for obvious reasons). Our vision is a dedication to the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass and Old Time Country music. It’s also to provide an atmosphere of harmony and acceptance at all levels of playing, within the Bluegrass Circle. And, to create a bluegrass community where singers and musicians, young and old, may come together to play, sing and exchange knowledge. 

We would love to have you join us… as a fellow musician, an audience member, a sponsor, or a volunteer!

Denise Trudeau

President

Denise Trudeau, president, Summerland Bluegrass Group
Summertime Bluegrass Festival stage

About Our Festival

With unlimited camping, covered seating and a covered stage, we strive to provide fun, rain or shine.

The festival has a new name (Summertime Bluegrass Festival), as well as a new location. As of July 2025, the festival will held at the stampede grounds in Falkland, BC.  

The town of Falkland will make everyone feel at home and welcome. Stay a while, and make it a special holiday.

We have been told, a time or two, that this is the most fun and interactive festival they have attended. People love our workshops and band scrambles, and the opportunity to perform on stage.

We plan to send you home with a smile on your face and a song in your heart!

EVENING JAMMING
At the end of each day during the festival, it’s time for jamming! You’ll find the old-style parking lot pickin’ and grinnin’, or head over to our large log building for some ‘circle jamming’, or jam in the advanced pickers tent.

Of course, listeners and toe-tappers are always welcome… and needed! There’s no need for anyone to feel left out. The various jamming spots are good places to meet everyone, especially if you are new to the scene.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERTS
Friday and Saturday evening provides a much-needed break, after all the performances, the band scramble and the workshops. The featured bands will provide some top-notch entertainment, while you sit down and rest your weary bones… and fingers!

After the concert, you will have the energy to jam into the wee hours of the morning.

Lawrence Trudeau - founder of Summerland Bluegrass Festival

Tribute

Lawrence Trudeau discovered Bluegrass music when he first attended a jam at Juliette Spear’s in Penticton. He was “bit by the bluegrass bug”  as they would say, and it was full steam ahead.

He passed away in 2004 at the age of 79, his quiet leadership will always be remembered. He gave freely of himself with a winning smile, he was the very essence of our Bluegrass family.

Read more...

Our Board of Executives

Denise Trudeau - president

Denise Trudeau

PRESIDENT

Start Date: September 2010
Denise has been the President of the Summerland Bluegrass Society since its inception. Before that, she was President of the Summerland Bluegrass Group. Denise retired from her nursing duties in the year of 2001, after which, she worked as a Security Guard.

Denise owned and operated ‘Aerial Tree Service’ on Vancouver Island for many years. The business was very successful, and she enjoyed the challenge it came with. She has since retired, and is enjoying traveling, gardening and music.

Mike Snedden - Director

Mike Snedden

VICE PRESIDENT

Start Date: September 2017
Mike retired as the school principal of Rose Valley School, District 23. He now enjoys promoting music by hosting house concerts.

Mike also teaches Bluegrass by hosting a slow-pitch jam.

He enjoys music, hiking, rebuilding antique bikes and caring for his family.

Ron Horner - Treasurer

Ron Horner

treasurer

Start Date: September 2010
Ron has been a director of both Summerland Bluegrass Society and Summerland Bluegrass Group. And now Treasurer.

Ron retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as a Master WarrAnt Officer. Once retired, worked as a Greenskeeper and Security Guard.

Ron enjoys a good joke and plays a great game of golf. He loves riding his new lawnmower, trying to keep his landscape like the golf course greens. Ron enjoys sports, especially hockey.

Marilyn West - Secretary

Marilyn West

SECRETARY

Start Date: October 2023
Marilyn has instructed piano from her music studio for 49 years. She has been a member of the Summerland Bluegrass Society since 2015, participating in Mike’s Bluegrass jams at Lakeview Heights and Summerland, as well as the Summerland Bluegrass Festival.

Our Board of Directors

Jake Bransfield - Director

Jake Bransfield

DIRECTOR

Start Date: September 2016
Prior to his retirement, Jake owned and operated his own, very successful, auto repair shop in Kelowna. Jake enjoys music, gardening, traveling, and caring for his saltwater fish tank.

Sharon Dyck - Director

Sharon Dyck

DIRECTOR

Start Date: September 2017
Serves as a board member for ‘Lawrence Trudeau Bursary’ since 2015. Sharon farmed and raised her family in the Peace Country. She is now a retired librarian. Sharon is part of a band with 2 other women. She hosts sing-a-long in senior homes, weekly, during the winter months.

Dan McLachlan - director

Dan McLachlan

DIRECTOR

Start Date: October 2023
Prior to retiring in Summerland, I spent most of my life in Alberta’s Peace Country, where I first worked in the graphic arts field, then moved to some entrepreneurial ventures, including the travel industry, retail, and property development. Being an active member of several organizations and service clubs through the years, has also been very enjoyable.

I started playing old-time music at family gatherings, at 12 years of age, and have always enjoyed playing a wide variety of music styles; first on the piano, then dabbling with a few other instruments. Re-discovering the guitar a few years ago has motivated me to get back to playing music, and to learn new material.

The Bluegrass community and music are relatively new to me, but more than fulfills my passion for music and the fellowship it provides.

John Duquette

John Duquette

DIRECTOR

Start Date: September 2022
Prior to retiring, John worked in the computer industry – from tech support to ending his career at IBM as a Project Administrator. He recently moved back to BC from Nova Scotia where, while renovating his century-old house, he spent three years as the Director of Entertainment for the South Shore Bluegrass Music Association.

John has travelled extensively, and lived in Mexico and Greece, and several provinces in Canada. He’s been playing and singing Bluegrass music for many years, and attended Bluegrass festivals throughout Canada and the US.

Christine McPhee - director

Christine McPhee

DIRECTOR

Start Date: September 2024
I am a professional librarian by trade, currently taking some time away from work to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing.

After a lifetime of singing in the car and playing air guitar, I finally started actually making music in 2022. I started by joining the Naramata Community Choir, and then bought my first guitar a few months later.

I was lucky enough to meet some local bluegrass musicians early on, who invited me to one of the Summerland Bluegrass jams. When I protested that I only knew three chords, they said ‘buy a capo, you’ll be fine’! And they were right.

The beauty of this music is, you can get up-and-running, making music with people quickly. And, there is plenty of room to grow too. I have grown into a musician in the last couple of years, with the support of the bluegrass community, and fallen in love with this musical genre.

A great experience! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Definitely coming back next year!!
Karen Michelle
Bluegrass Fan
Lovely festivals! Thanks to everyone who volunteered to make it great.
Victoria Laine
Bluegrass Fan
Two thumbs up! Well done, you!
Jack Saunders
Bluegrass Fan
Summerand Bluegrass Festival logo - footer 2

We are the Summerland Bluegrass Society. We are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass music. Our vision is To create a bluegrass community where singers and musicians, young and old, may come together to play, sing and exchange knowledge.
   

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Address: Summerland, BC

Phone: (250) 490-5036

Email:  click here