The Festival is a great way to enjoy the day with the family.
(Photo: Brian Rimm, courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage)

The always amazing Bourbon & Bluegrass Festival is back at President Lincoln’s Cottage on May 20th and 21st. Come out to enjoy music, drinks, food and a great community time.

The event, which won runner-up in the “Best Music Festival” category in Washington City Paper’s 2022 Best of DC reader poll, will be headlined by Dom Flemons. Called “The American Songster,” Flemons is a Grammy-winning artist with a historically-minded approach to music that aligns with the mission of the Cottage.

Dom Flemons
(courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage)

The festival is on May 20th and 21st from 1pm – 5pm on the great lawn in front of the Cottage.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dom Flemons back to the Cottage and share his contributions with our visitors,” said Cottage CEO & Executive Director, Michael Atwood Mason. “Seeing Dom perform live is a transformational experience, and the historic importance of our venue will only amplify that.”

*(Photo: Brian Rimm, courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage)*

All proceeds from the event support the continuing preservation of President Lincoln’s Cottage, the birthplace of the Emancipation Proclamation. “Bourbon and Bluegrass, as our biggest fundraiser, helps us to preserve this special place and keep it accessible to everyone,” said Mason. “We hope you’ll join us!”

Dom Flemons will be headlining both days, and completes a star-studded line up. On Saturday, Baltimore-based singer-songwriter Letitia VanSant will set the tone of the festival with her vibrant voice and calls for kindness and justice. VanSant’s performance will be followed by the Fly Birds, the Virginian “mountain-sirens” who have performed at the festival to much acclaim in years past.

Openers for Bourbon & Bluegrass (Left to Right): Letitia VanSant, The Fly Birds, Adeem the Artist, and Nora Brown
(photo courtesy President Lincoln’s Cottage)

On Sunday, Adeem the Artist will open with their Appalachian-style music that contends with issues of faith, identity and self-acceptance. Adeem will be followed by Nora Brown, a rising young star whose music has been described as “exquisite” by the New Yorker. “We could not be more excited for this group of talented musicians who each, in their own way, address issues of social justice important to us at the Cottage,” said Mason.

The award-winning bands will provide the soundtrack to festival fun that incorporates food, history, fashion, and, of course, bourbon. Culinary highlights will include Rocklands Barbeque, Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats, and Lattimore’s Funnel Cakes. Lawn games will be played, specialty drinks consumed, and Heritage Barbers will be styling attendant beards to rival Lincoln’s.

Bearded or not, history and architecture enthusiasts will enjoy exterior preservation tours with the Cottage’s Director of Preservation, Jeff Larry, and learn more about the home Lincoln loved.

Tickets sell out, so get yours soon!

Get tickets now!