Annual Fundraiser at CD&Me Friday Keeps Frankfort Bluegrass Fest Free

The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival all-volunteer committee will hold its spring fundraiser at CD & Me Friday, May 9 to support its annual free Frankfort Bluegrass Festival.

Three bands will showcase the sounds of bluegrass in the expansive botanic gardens of CD & Me, decorated with fire pits, a majestic fountain and a towering landmark fireplace.

“Fifteen years ago our modest-size group was planning for a free festival and wondering if anyone would show up,” said Steve Haberichter, a founding member and participating musician. “As that first weekend of free music continued, people started commenting on what a cool thing we’d created and followed up by asking how they could help.”

Soon the committee realized fundraisers – especially one at the high-profile CD & Me campus - were a natural trajectory toward greater success and a way of utilizing all the new volunteers intent on helping keep the Frankfort Bluegrass Festival free and open to the public.

The indoor/outdoor evening event runs from 6 p.m. until 10 at CD & Me, located at 23320 South LaGrange Road in Frankfort, IL.

The fundraiser features three live music acts: The Grateful String Band, Wheels North, and Anderlik, Otto & Church. The evening features appetizers from The Frankfort Restaurant Association group, beer tastings courtesy of Trails Edge Brewery and Blue Island Beer Co., plus raffles, split the pot and silent auction items.

Bluegrass Fest July 12-13

The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival on the Green triumphantly returned to the spotlight and the crowds in 2022, only a few years removed from back-to-back global award recognition, including the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Event of the Year” Award.

Organizers set this year’s free admission summer festival for Saturday, July 12 and Sunday July 13, 2025. Support from sponsors and grassroots fundraising remain vital to hosting a free event.

“If not for our faithful supporters, some who jumped in 15 years ago, we would not have been able to keep our pledge to bring free, top quality, award-winning bluegrass acts to Frankfort every summer to celebrate this truly American music,” said Amanda Thompson, fest coordinator. “Our Bluegrass Fest fundraising truly took flight when we were embraced by CD & Me and all our supporters who love this event.”

“Our own international recognition is connecting our audiences to the kinds of acts famous around the world, and we couldn’t be prouder that they know of and want to come to Frankfort,” said Haberichter. “Our local, lead-up fundraisers provide a preview to the superior musicianship we recruit locally.”

Advance tickets are $45 and include music, heavy appetizers and beverages courtesy of sponsors Blue Island Beer Company and Trails Edge Brewery for beer tastings while CD&Me features fully stocked cash bars. There will be raffles and split the pot opportunities.

There is an abundance of free parking on site.

For further information and ticket purchases or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.frankfortbluegrassfest.com.