The sound of a hummingbird's wings as it fed from the many bird feeders hanging above was broken by the crunch of a chipmunk eating a few feet away at the edge of the porch that will soon be the main stage of the region's largest bluegrass festival.
A gentle breeze swept through the trees as the sun began to paint the valley laid out before the porch. LarryFest namesake Larry Sebranek and coconspirator Bill Wopat relax in what may be the most calming environment in Wisconsin. If one didn't know better, they might believe they were deep in the Appalachians, surrounded by a silence that was only interrupted by animals and the ringing of tinnitus in your ears. That silence will soon be replaced by the sounds of banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle, and families enjoying their time in this beautiful setting.
When Larry Sebranek and his brother Doug attended a bluegrass festival in Colorado in the late 90s, Larry came home convinced southwest Wisconsin could do it better.
"We got there, and the bluegrass bands were playing rock music," Sebranek recalled. "I said, 'We could do a better job than that.'"
That conversation sparked an idea that has grown into one of Wisconsin's longest-running and best-known bluegrass festivals.
LarryFest returns August 13-15 for its 29th year, bringing 34 bands to two stages on Sebranek's 60-acre maple syrup farm near La Farge. What began as a one-day event attended by about 50 people now attracts visitors from across the United States to the wooded valleys of Wisconsin's Driftless Region who buy one of the 800 available tickets.
The festival's roots stretch back much farther than 1998. Bluegrass music itself traces its origins to the Appalachian Mountains, blending Scottish, Irish and English folk traditions with gospel, blues and old-time mountain music. Named after legendary musician Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, the genre has remained popular with generations of musicians and audiences who value acoustic instruments, tight harmonies and traditional storytelling.
Sebranek wanted to bring that style of music to an area where few opportunities existed to hear nationally recognized bluegrass performers.
"Our mission was to provide bluegrass music for the area," he said.
The first festival was called the Bohemian Glen Bluegrass Festival, named after the Sebranek family farm. That changed almost immediately after the inaugural event.
"I went into Leo and Leona's tavern, and everybody had hats that said 'LarryFest' on them," Sebranek said with a laugh. "I didn't have much choice."
Over the next three decades, the festival steadily grew from local musicians performing on a single stage into a nationally recognized event featuring Grand Ole Opry performers, Grammy Award winners and International Bluegrass Music Association honorees. Sebranek noted that Grammy-winning artist Billy Strings appeared at LarryFest years before becoming one of bluegrass's biggest stars.
This year's festival features 34 bands performing on two stages. Organizers have extended many of the main-stage performances from 90 minutes to two hours.
"We're paying thousands of dollars for these bands," Sebranek said. "Why not let people hear more music?"
While traditional bluegrass remains the centerpiece of the festival, fellow bluegrass aficionado Bill Wopat said. LarryFest has evolved to include Americana, old-time music and progressive bluegrass, exposing audiences to the wide range of acoustic music.
"A lot of people come here thinking they don't like bluegrass," said Wopat. "Then they hear the different styles and realize they love it."
Visitors continue to travel long distances to experience the festival. Last year, attendees came from 28 states, with some driving more than 1,000 miles to attend. Organizers estimate that a majority of first-time visitors eventually return.
Much of that loyalty, Wopat believes, comes from the atmosphere as much as the music.
More than 100 RVs, along with dozens of campers and tents, fill the valleys surrounding the stages each August. Campfires burn late into the evening while musicians and festival-goers gather for informal jam sessions after the scheduled performances end. Many visitors arrive several days early simply to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Unlike many large festivals, attendees are welcome to bring their own food and beverages. Organizers provide free firewood, shuttle service throughout the grounds, and reasonably priced camping.
"There isn't any cell service here," Sebranek said. "People actually end up talking to each other instead of looking at their phones."
LarryFest is operated by the nonprofit Kickapoo Valley Acoustic Music Association, whose mission is to preserve and promote bluegrass and acoustic music while supporting local organizations and area food pantries.
The festival depends on dozens of volunteers throughout the year. Volunteers help mow nearly 30 acres of grounds, prepare campsites, maintain trails and assist with parking, transportation and countless other tasks. Sebranek recalled that after severe flooding damaged the property several years ago, dozens of volunteers showed up to help rebuild.
The festival has also earned a reputation among performers. Nationally known bluegrass musician Don Rigsby recently described LarryFest as his favorite bluegrass festival in the country, and many performers request to return. Unlike many festivals, LarryFest provides home-cooked meals for musicians and apartment-style lodging for many of the headline acts.
Families have become a large part of the event. Children 16 and younger are admitted free, and activities include workshops, games, face painting, bubble demonstrations and instrument raffles. Sebranek said it is common to see three and even four generations of the same family attending together.
Food is intentionally kept affordable, with visitors able to purchase hamburgers, brats, homemade fries, Mexican food and locally produced maple syrup. Organic Valley sponsors a free Saturday morning breakfast, while free sweet corn is served Saturday afternoon.
As evening falls, 100 trees wrapped in lights illuminate the hillside along the main stage, creating what visitors have come to call the "Enchanted Forest." Music echoes through the valley while campfires glow throughout the campground, creating an atmosphere that has become as much a part of LarryFest as the performers themselves.
"The first thing people tell us is how friendly everyone is," Sebranek said. "Then they tell us they'll be back next year."
For Sebranek, that may be the festival's greatest accomplishment. What began as an idea to bring authentic bluegrass music to southwest Wisconsin has become a tradition that continues to bring thousands of music lovers together in the hills of the Driftless Region every August.
For more information, visit https://www.LarryFest.org/
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