Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance

The Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival continues through Sunday with lots of great music and dance, featuring a selection of roots related and world music from over 60 performing artists on 4 stages, including country rocker Steve Earle.

Now in it's 25th year, the festival started a long time back as a concert to benefit local AIDS support organization AIDS work at the State Theater in Ithaca. Featured artists were Donna the Buffalo and pals The Horse Flies, and Neon Baptist.

Encouraged by the success of that night, members of Donna the Buffalo conspired to create a festival that would continue to raise money for the fight against AIDS and other worthy causes, provide regional and national exposure for excellent local musicians, and expose the local and regional music lovers to excellent national and international artists.

According to the festival web site, the 4 day festival is "all about having a grand time, generating a feeling of community, and giving something back to enhance our town, our society, and our world."

If you plan to go, you can expect plenty of kid-friendly activities including an art barn, crafts, face painting and games with free admission for children 12 and under with a parent or guardian.

The Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival is held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Route 96 in Trumansburg, New York.  Tickets are $45-$57 for single-day admission.