Folky Fish Fest will be back at Maramec Spring Park next weekend with a hand-picked lineup of acclaimed and emerging artists.

This year’s festival runs from Friday, May 29 to Saturday, May 30. There will be three stages featuring folk, bluegrass, Americana and roots performances by various artists.

The 2026 Folky Fish Fest lineup includes The Kyle Tuttle Band, The Dillards, The David Mayfield Parade, Pert Near Sandstone, Debutants, The HillBenders, Ettore Buzzini, Catgut Stringband, Chris Walz, Betse and Clarke String Band, Michael Prewitt and CrunchGrass Supreme, John Depew Trio, National Park Radio, The Ozark Snappers, Dan Eubanks, Lukas Simpson, Matt Schmidt, Andrew Morris and The Swamp Things and The Hammer and The Hatchet.

Tickets, which can be purchased online at folkyfishfest.com/tickets, are required for entry and to reserve camping spots for the weekend. There are multiple options available, including a single day pass, two-day pass, VIP tickets and options to add on camping. Youth aged 15 and under are free.

With the vibrant natural backdrop of Maramec Spring Park, the festival offers more than just music. There will be visual arts exhibitions, artisan vendors, an open mic session, yoga, a story hour, local food and drink options and even community dance sessions.

Music workshops led by festival artists will allow participants to hone their skills on the fiddle, banjo, bluegrass mandolin, mountain dulcimer, fingerstyle guitar and harmony singing during various sessions throughout the weekend. 

A Warnick method bluegrass jam class will be taught by Brain Bauer from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Those interested can register at folkyfishfest.com/workshops-2/bluegrass-jam-class.

Trout fishing will be open in the park’s spring branch and there are plenty of options for hiking and mountain biking trails for those wanting to make the most of their weekend.

Folky Fish Fest began as a small passion project, but has evolved into something bigger. 

“What started as a little project took on new meaning when The James Foundation and Wes Swee offered up a partnership for our purpose,” said festival organizer Lee Watson. “We became an engine for developing a fund that supports musical education almost immediately. It ain’t just about the music.”

Proceeds from the festival benefit musical education through the newly established Adam Yount-John Hotze Memorial Fund. Grants, workshops and music camps for musicians of all ages are supported through the fund, honoring the legacies of two influential figures whose generosity, artistry and mentorship shaped Folky Fish Fest. 

One of these programs is Kids Jam Camp, which is held on Thursday, May 28 and offers instruction to over 40 kids ages 10 to 18 years old. Aspiring young musicians are led through a hands-on program by seasoned artists in learning, playing and creating music together.

The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and welcomes all skill levels. Instruments will be available upon request and participating kids will kick off the festival with a performance from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday. 

Students can register for guitar, fiddle/violin, viola, cello, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, upright bass or singing. To sign up or learn more information, go to folkyfishfest.com/workshops-2/folky-fish-fest-jam-camp/.