The Fraley Festival of Traditional Music was started by Annadeene and JP Fraley in 1971. Originally billed as a Fraley family reunion, because Annadeene was worried nobody would show up, the festival has expanded over the last 50 years to 4 days of old time concerts and jamming. The festival has been held the first weekend after Labor Day since returning to Carter Caves in 1979. Here, musicians gather from across the country to share in the concerts and workshops and to jam in the parking lot, the front porch of the lodge, all around the huge campground, and in the cabin area. What started forty years ago as a family reunion has grown to include a great many folks, who may not be kin to the Fraleys, but certainly consider themselves part of the family, proving that traditional music ties people together as nothing else can. With the support of Carter Caves State Park and The Friends of Carter Caves we continue to celebrate the traditional music of Eastern Kentucky.

Schedule of Events:

September 4, 2024

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Jammin' in the Round
Bring your instrument and join us at the campground shelter. Free for all attendees.
Campround Shelter

September 5, 2024

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Open Stage Concert
Open Stage Concert, Organized by Barb Kuhns
Amphitheater

September 6, 2024

Friday Afternoon Show

The Friday afternoon show has 3 concerts,

1:00pm: Open State Concert, Organized by Barb Kuhns
2:00pm: Banjo Gatherin' - Led by Tom Duffee
3:00pm: Dulcimer Gatherin' - Led by Hunter Walker (Amphitheater)
7:00pm - 10:00pm: Friday Evening Concert (With MCs Tom Duffee and John Harrod )

September 7, 2024

Saturday Mid-Day Show

The Saturday show has 5 events

11:00am: Storytelling, Led by Andrew Bevan
12:00pm: Ballads, Led by Karly Dawn Milner
01:00pm: The Music of JP and Annadeene Fraley, Led by  Tom Duffee
02:00pm: Fiddle Gatherin' Led by John Harrod
03:00pm: Guitar Gatherin' Led by Robin Kessinger
03:00pm - 04:30pm: Square Dance in the Cave - The first large room in Cascade Cave is known as “the ballroom” because in days past, the local community would hold dances in the cave. Join us as we revive the tradition with a square dance inside the ballroom. Admission is included with the Saturday afternoon ticket or Festival Pass, or $5 at the cave entrance.
07:00pm - 10:30pm: Saturday Evening Concert - With MCs Billy Cornette and Robin Duffee

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Date: September 4 - September 7, 2024

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park,

344 Caveland Dr,

Olive Hill KY

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