11 Tips for Having a Blast at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival with Kids

Last updated: July 10, 2023

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Last summer, I finally went to GrassRoots! 

Hard to believe I’d made it that long without attending one of the major summer events in the Finger Lakes.

But last year, I dove in — with the kids, no less!

(If you’re not familiar with GrassRoots, jump down to the “What is GrassRoots?” section for more info. It’s one of the quintessentially “summer” things to do in the Finger Lakes.

And if you’re looking for more fun things to do, check out this post on Ithaca festivals and events.)

GrassRoots: A family-friendly festival

The festival organizers “strive to create a relaxed, family-friendly environment” and offer a designated kids’ activities area in a central location, a parade, and more. 

Plus, kids 12 and under get in for free!

Since I was a festival newbie (and a little nervous about going to such a big event with kids who had rarely or never seen crowds of this size — thanks, COVID!) I turned to some experts for advice: local moms.

Some of them, like Jessica, “basically grew up at GrassRoots.” Her kids have never missed a year, save during the height of the pandemic, and they anticipate the festival like it’s Christmas. “We’re pretty hardcore about GrassRoots,” she says. “It’s overwhelming and loud but there are pockets of quiet and there are pockets of wonder.”

Why does GrassRoots have such loyal fans? There’s the great music, of course, and a fun, positive vibe. Megan says “it’s honestly the most accepting event I’ve ever attended.”

Here are tips from these GrassRoots enthusiasts on how to have a great experience with your kids:

Tips for enjoying GrassRoots with kids

1. Visit the Kids’ Area

It’s all about the kids here, from 10 AM to 6 PM daily. Grab a schedule to see when the various crafts, performances, and games take place, including: face painting, human checkers, arts & crafts, hula hoop workshops, the physics bus, stilt walking, juggling…

2. Plan to walk a lot

There’s a lot of walking involved, so consider bringing a wagon or stroller. Something like this, with a canopy for extra shade, is ideal.

3. Pack food and drinks

You’re allowed to bring your own food and drink (even alcoholic beverages – but NO GLASS, and they have to be covered), so pack a cooler with your family’s favorite snacks and your water bottles, which you can refill at EMS or various spigots. That said, there are loads of on-site food options for purchase if you prefer.

4. Protect yourself from sun and heat

Slather on the sun screen and don’t forget to reapply. (We like this one.)

If you want to add on more sun protection, a hat, a parasol, or a sun shelter are great options.

Water spray bottles (non-glass) and bandanas in your cooler are also really nice ways to stay cool.

5. Know where to find your kid

I called GrassRoots to find out what happens if kids accidentally get separated from their parents. When you arrive, front gate staff members typically write the parents’ phone numbers on children’s wristbands. The protocol if a child is determined to be lost is that they’re brought to the First Aid tent and comforted by Bangs Ambulance staff. Announcements are made to each stage. “This is a family-friendly event and there are moms and dads everywhere. When it does happen (that a kid is lost) it’s usually resolved very quickly,” I was told.

6. Moderate the noise

The concerts and crowds can get loud and overwhelming. If your kids are sensitive, stay farther away from the stages and consider ear protection. The Healing Arts area is supposed to be quiet.

7. Wear closed-toe shoes

Even the organizers acknowledge that “barefoot children are often the victims of broken glass cuts,” so prevent them by keeping everyone’s feet protected.

8. Stick to daytime

It’s more kid-friendly than the night concerts.

9. Go on Sunday

If you can only go for one day, see whether Sunday’s lineups suit you. From what I hear, it’s considered the most family-friendly day (thanks to the parade).

10. Check out the Happiness Parade

The parade on Sunday is a festival institution – around since 1995 – “awesome and silly” (Jessica) and open to all (children accompanied by an adult). You can wear whatever gives you happy, positive vibes, and you can borrow items at the Art Barn.

11. Adjust your expectations

This from Jessica says it all: “Don’t get too married to the idea of seeing any shows unless you have help or your kids are really into it. I just count on soaking in the wild goodness on the edges while chasing my kids.”

BONUS TIP: Go alone — and don’t feel guilty

OK, this is more about visiting without the kids, but if there’s a band you really care about, you may want to leave younger kids at home or hand them off to someone else for a few hours (if you have that luxury available to you) so you can dive in unencumbered. Lots of the moms I talked to do this. Megan, for example, says: “I’ve designated Sunday as MY day…Once a year I get to enjoy me and myself.”

The official GrassRoots policy on kids and youth

Here’s the official policy, straight from the GrassRoots “Health & Safety” page:

• Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult if camping.
• Youth passes (13-15 years) will not be sold to youth at the gate without a parent or guardian.
• We recommend parents/legal guardians accompany their kids to the festival- this is an extremely family friendly festival and kids of all ages are welcome, but the festival cannot be responsible for kids without adult supervision.
• Kids 12 and under are free of admission.

What is GrassRoots?

In case you’re not familiar with GrassRoots, here’s a short introduction to one of the most family friendly festivals in the region.

Officially called the “Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance,” the event started as a fundraiser over three decades ago.

In 1990, bands Donna the Buffalo, The Horse Flies, and Neon Baptist sold out a show at the State Theatre in Ithaca to collect money for AIDS Work of Tompkins County.

Out of this collaboration grew the first GrassRoots Festival in 1991. 

Since then, the GrassRoots music festival has expanded into an annual event at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds, just north of Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake. 

Held the second-to-last weekend of July, it runs for four days on four stages with over 80 bands (in 2023). It has drawn as many as 20,000 visitors.

The nonprofit has also continued to donate funds to a number of organizations.

You’ll find all kinds of music styles represented, including Cajun, folk, bluegrass, zydeco, reggae, world music, Americana, African, Native American, rock and roll, hip hop, and many more.

The festival also has offshoots in places like North Carolina (Shakori Hills GrassRoots) and Florida (Virginia Key GrassRoots).

Check out this short history of the GrassRoots festival for more details.

GRASSROOTS WEBSITE: https://www.grassrootsfest.org/