Doc Watson will be inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame during the Uncle Pen Days Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Thomas Stout.

The 35th Annual Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Uncle Pen Days festival will be held at the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground in Bean Blossom, Ind., Sept. 23-26.

The highlight of this year’s festival is the official Bluegrass Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that takes place Saturday, Sept., 26 when the event celebrates the contributions that 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Doc Watson has made to bluegrass and folk music.

Performers for this year include Ralph Stanley & Clinch Mountain Boys, The Grascals, Dailey & Vincent, J.D. Crowe & New South, Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press, Larry Sparks & Lonesome Ramblers, Raymond Fairchild & Maggie Valley Boys, IIIrd Tyme Out, Randy Waller & Country Gentlemen, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, James King Band, Ralph Stanley II, Lost & Found, Jesse McReynolds & Virginia Boys, James Monroe & Midnight Ramblers

Also, Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition, Larry Stephenson Band, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Pine Mountain Railroad, Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, Glen Bonham & Southern Tradition, Vince Combs & Shadetree Bluegrass, Larry Efaw & Bluegrass Mountaineers, Dry Valley Gamblers, Summertown Road and New Harmony.

Throughout the four days, bluegrass festival patrons can enjoy the fun and educational music and instrument workshops planned on the artist Workshop Stage located at the top of Hippy Hill. There will be a wide variety of workshops including beginning to advanced levels on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and new band showcases.

Included in your festival ticket purchase is admission to Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame &Museum and  Uncle Pen’s Cabin self-guided tour; all music and instrument workshops and activities scheduled at the Artist Workshop Stage; access to all food concessions, merchants and Bean Blossom Flea Market.

On-site festival camping is available at discounted rates, but please note that reserved hook-up sites are limited to 300 and normally sell-out by September 1.

You can download the 2009 Uncle Pen Days Stage and Artist Workshop Schedule. (pdf).

Tickets can be purchased by calling (800) 414-4677.