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World Of Bluegrass Fans Descend On Raleigh

File photo of festivalgoers at World of Bluegrass StreetFest in 2016.
Evan Millican

An annual conference and bluegrass music festival is underway in Raleigh. This is Raleigh's fifth year hosting the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass. 
The conference portion of the week started Monday with industry meetings and seminars. The music festival portion of the week starts Friday.

It has headliners that bluegrass fans will recognize like Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, and North Carolina groups like Balsam Range and Chatham County Line.

A breakdown of attendance at the World of Bluegrass Festival in recent years.
Credit Jason deBruyn / WUNC

IBMA moved its World of Bluegrass events from Nashville to Raleigh in 2013.

Raleigh is hoping to renew its agreement with the IBMA after the current one ends next year.  The bluegrass group has touted rising attendance numbers and economic benefits for the Triangle in recent years.
 

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Will Michaels is WUNC's Weekend Host and Reporter.
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