Backbone Bluegrass Festival takes place in Strawberry Point, Iowa, on its dedicated festival grounds. Artists play bluegrass, country, and gospel music on one stage. The event is billed as Iowa’s oldest and largest bluegrass festival.
Backbone Lake Promotion Association runs the festival, which began in 1981 as a lake-restoration fundraiser. Camping is available, including electric hookups and hot showers. Saturday morning workshops cover guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dobro, and vocal harmony.
2026 marks the 45th Backbone Bluegrass Festival.