Breakfast Gospel Session
10am-midday
Marquee
Betty Pottinger, Jon Blissett and Andy Wood kick off the Sunday with a bluegrass gospel breakfast session. Praise the Lord and Pass the Bacon Rolls!
Gospel Harmony Workshop
midday-2pm
Marquee
What a way to round off the festival! Shape note beginners’ workshop with guest singers experienced in sacred harp techniques. This is the foundation of all bluegrass and old time harmonies. Sometimes called the heavy metal of a cappella harmony, within an hour we’ll have you singing classics like Wayfaring Stranger and Wondrous Love with a choir sound you’ll never want to forget.
Sunday 5th July
Workshops
10am-midday
Various venues
Free to all weekend ticket holders and shuttle service users. Funded by the British Bluegrass Music Association and Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance, workshops are for abilities of all levels and last 40-55 minutes.
Stu Williams - bluegrass banjo • Jay Bradbury - fiddle • Eleanor Wilkie - double bass • Jack Foster - guitar • Simon Robinson - old time banjo • Jane Foggin - singing • Mike Warburton - mandolin • Emily Cross - old time dance • Michael Russell - old time fiddle.
A detailed timetable will be available at the festival entrance.
Open-mic
midday - 4pm
Function room
A perennial Rainford favourite, organised and compered by the inimitable Phil Stott, if you want to participate please add your name when entering the festival.
Pop up Choir
3pm-5pm
Marquee
An event especially scheduled for our shuttle service users from St Helens and Rainford. Led by experienced music teachers from the William Bakerfield Band and open to all-comers of all ability levels.
Slow jam
5pm-8pm
Function room
Led by the indomitable Carlo Coni, the slow jam is one of the most popular events of our festival and perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike! If you don't know where to start playing bluegrass and old time this is a great welcoming place to start!
Saturday Night Gala
8pm
Marquee
The highlight of the festival and the show of the year! Compered by Helen Hutchinson. Stu Williams, Eleanor Cross, Simon Robinson, Joe Bradberry and Jack Foster lead 20 youngsters in 5 scratch bands before ending up in a one-off virtuoso performance. The focal point of the Rainford Junction Youth Fund, not to be missed!
Saturday 4th July
Thursday 2nd July
all day & 6pm
Attendees will be arriving all day and there will be impromptu picking sessions across the site where everyone is welcome to join in. At 6pm we have arranged a circular open jam in the marquee led by the Rainford Bluegrass session.
Friday 3rd July
day time
Most attendees will be arriving on the Friday, open and free picking sessions can be found across the festival site. In the evening we will be holding a barbecue to welcome our young scratch band members.
Battle of The Sessions
8pm
Function room
Five of the best bluegrass sessions across the north of England and Scotland battle it out for a piece of that UK Bluegrass Sessions Pork Pie Prize all topped off by one of the UK’s bluegrass glitterati! Adult comedy entertainment with bar and pie and pea supper (not included in the price). Free to all weekend ticket holders and shuttle service users.
Festival Timetable
Rainford Junction Festival has core values of youth, community and inclusivity. Bluegrass and old time pickers from all over the country come together to join community members from Rainford village and the wider St Helens Borough. There's something for all at the festival, here's our timetable.