There will be a fourth Bluegrass and Brews in Countryside next year after this year’s third edition drew a big crowd to Countryside Park.
“Absolutely,” Mayor Sean McDermott said when asked if there will be another concert in 2025.
“I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the August 24 event. “I think it gets bigger and better every year.”
Four bands took turns playing for roughly 90 minutes each in the gazebo.
The Don Stiernberg Trio opened things up at 2 p.m. Stiernberg is noted nationally for his mandolin playing, McDermott said.
“It was a little warm in the day. That may have curtailed the crowd,” McDermott said. “But as the sun went down, it got cooler and more people came out.”
Next up was Terrapin Flyer, a Grateful Dead tribute band. While one may think of the Grateful Dead’s music as more rock, McDermott begs to differ.
“You know, Jerry Garcia said the Dead were electric bluegrass. That’s how he viewed the band at one time. They fit right in,” McDermott said.
A number of fans were seen wearing Grateful Dead tie-dye T-shirts. Several women were seen twirling to the music much like Deadheads, the band’s loyal fanbase.
“I’ve seen them a number of times. They do a really great job. They were wonderful,” McDermott said of Terrapin Flyer.
Two bluegrass bands followed.
Chicken Wire Empire – which had banjo and fiddle players – set toes tapping.
They were followed by the Anderlik, Otto & Church Band.
During its set, the band gave a bluegrass flavor to Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall,” The Allman Brothers’ “Blue Sky” and Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”
McDermott met Rob Anderlik at the Frankfort Bluegrass Fest four or five years ago.
“It turns out we are from the same parish and same grade school in Arlington Heights. He’s been very instrumental in putting the music together for us,” the mayor said, adding it was Anderlik who had suggested bringing in Terrapin Flyer.
Beer was sold by Buckle Down Brewing, of Lyons, and Imperial Oak Brewing, of Brookfield. Food was sold by Grz Grub, Ledo’s Pizza, Ricobene’s and Monk’s Mobile Kitchen.
McDermott called all the vendors “exceptional.”