Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival

08/25/2025

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Phillip Akemon! 💛 His great love of music and family kept the festival alive for 27 years, and we miss him every day! 🎶🪕🎶

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms! 🌸 Your love and gentle care have blessed our lives more than words can say! We love YOU always! 🌸

03/05/2025

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐤𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲

The Akemon family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for all the kindness they have been shown since the unexpected passing of Phillip Akemon while on a hunting trip in the Colorado mountains on Oct 16, 2024. They are most grateful for the friendships which meant so much to Phillip, both in our local area and within the Bluegrass music family.

Phillip started Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival in 1996, and was blessed to keep the beloved event afloat for an incredible 27 years in Jackson County. The festival was one of his greatest joys, and he poured his heart and soul into it every year. Phillip loved people, and he loved hosting the event, which both honored his uncle, David "Stringbean" Akemon, and helped keep the heritage of Bluegrass music alive. The event was always held during the week of Stringbean's birthday on June 17, so in every way he could envision, Phillip honored the memory of his beloved uncle. Phillip loved his family, Jackson County, and all his friends far and near ~ especially those with whom he shared the joy of Bluegrass music.

The Akemon family is most grateful for the wonderful support shown by our area and the Bluegrass music family for the festival over 27 remarkable years. While the decision has not been easy, the family will not attempt to host the festival without their beloved Phillip in 2025. Bearing the grief of Phillip's passing is a challenge on its own, but adding in the great time and work needed to host the festival is too much for the family to endeavor so close to Phillip's passing. They also feel that Phillip was the true heartbeat of the event. He made it special, and it wouldn't be the same without him. Memories of it will always remain cherished in hearts, along with the one whose vision brought it to life.

For the wonderful support of friends and Bluegrass family through the years, the Akemon family extends heartfelt thanks. Thanks to each of you for 27 years of fabulous friendships and music at Stringbean Park, and for your loyal support of an event which gave Phillip so much joy. Michael W. Smith once penned "friends are friends forever," and those who were so kind to Phillip and so supportive of his festival will always be cherished and considered the best of friends. May God bless each of you always.

In loving memory of Phillip Akemon (1951-2024) and his beloved Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival (1996-2024).

~~ March 5, 2025 ~~

10/23/2024

With the greatest love and appreciation for our festival founder, Phillip Akemon .. and the saddest of tears as we share that he has passed away. Funeral Services have just been announced for Thurs Oct 24 @ 2 pm at Stringbean Park. Our hearts and prayers are with Phillip's cherished family 🙏💙

View Phillip Akemon Sr.'s obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/24/2024

Happy Birthday to Phillip Akemon! 🎉🍰🎉 Our festival founder is shown here with the great Larry Sparks. Phillip's dedication has kept our festival alive for 27 years, and we appreciate him very much! 👏🎶🪕

Photo by Terry Vaught.

06/23/2024

Thanks to all who joined us this week! ❤️ How Sweet It Is! ❤️

Photos by the great Terry Vaught

06/22/2024

TODAY ☆ SATURDAY! 🚩 Larry Sparks, Fenced In, Laurel River Line, Phillip Akemon, Sparrow Hawks, and Middlefork Grass! 🚩 Jun 22 🚩 Cash Only for Tix and Camping at the Gate. 🚩 Credit Cards and PayPal at StringbeanPark.com. 🚩 Ya'll come to Jackson County! 🚩

06/20/2024

STARTS TODAY! 🚩 Cash Only for Tix and Camping at the Gate. 🚩 Credit Cards and PayPal at StringbeanPark.com. 🚩 Ya'll come on to Jackson County! 🚩

STRINGBEAN 2024 🚩 How Sweet It Is! 🚩 Featuring Larry Sparks, Lonesome River Band, Jeff Parker, Hammertowne, and MORE! 🚩 June 20-21-22 🚩 Tyner, KY 🚩 Tix and Camping @ StringbeanPark.com 🚩 Ya'll come!

06/18/2024

It's almost time!! ⏰️ Our festival kicks off this Thurs Jun 20 @ 3:00 pm! 🚩 Daily Schedule below! 🚩 Y'all come! 🚩

🪕 Thursday, June 20
3:00 pm ~ Open Stage
4:00 Williamsburg Gospel Barn House Band
4:40 Anglin Brothers Bluegrass
5:20 Derrick Shepherd
6:00 Smith Sisters
6:40 Stevens Family Tradition
7:20 K Shack Band
8:00 Letterbox Boys
8:40 Jeff Parker & Company


🎻 Friday, June 21
2:00 pm ~ Open Stage
3:00 Elias Crowe
3:40 Blue Note
4:30 Kaintuck Band
5:20 Finley Murphy & the Gospel Grass
6:10 Blue Note
7:00 Kaintuck Band
7:50 Hammertowne
8:40 Lonesome River Band


🪕 Saturday, June 22
1:30 pm ~ Open Stage
2:40 Middlefork Grass
3:00 Sparrow Hawks
3:40 Phillip Akemon & Flatlick
4:30 Laurel River Line
5:20 Fenced In
6:10 Phillip Akemon & Flatlick
7:00 Laurel River Line
7:50 Fenced In
8:40 Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers

🪕 Gates open @ 8:00 am daily.

06/12/2024

How Sweet It Is! 🚩 Daily Set Schedules are at StringbeanPark.com/schedule 🚩 Y'all come! 😊

06/09/2024

YOU can sing at our festival! 🚩 Open Mic at the start of each afternoon! 🚩 Thurs-Sat, Jun 20-22 🚩 Daily Schedule ~ StringbeanPark.com/schedule

06/05/2024

Lonesome River Band ~ featuring 5-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Sammy Shelor ~ appears on festival FRIDAY! 🚩 Hammertowne, Kaintuck Band, Blue Note, Finley Murphy & the Gospel Grass, and Elias Crowe also appear on Fri Jun 21 at Stringbean Park! 🚩 June 20-21-22 🚩 Tyner, KY 🚩 StringbeanPark.com 🚩 Ya'll come!