McAwesomeFest Feels Like Music Festivals Are Supposed To Feel

McAwesomefest took place over Memorial Day Weekend 2026 on McAwesome Ranch in Castle Rock, CO.  Magoo headlined both evenings, with Deer Creek Sharp Shooters, Grant Farm, and more regional and national acts. 

 What we think of as a music festival has been happening in some form or other throughout human history. For thousands of years, communities have gathered together in parks, churches, fairs, farms, courtyards, and fields to celebrate.

These celebrations have historically focused on two things: music and community.

Not commercialism. Not influencers. Not fame. Not huge dollar sponsors.

Music and Community.

Whether it is a celebration of the solstice, the deity of wine, the latest pagan ritual, the birth of a new king, the death of a despot, the turning of the planet – the common denominator has always been music and community. (Sure, historically, there have also been some human sacrifices and gladiatorial games, but we have mostly evolved past that part!).

That brings us to a small field nestled amongst the strip malls, highways and McMansions of Castle Rock, Colorado. Smack in the middle of a place that seems the exact opposite of anything remotely resembling a music festival, there is an 11-acre oasis in a creative desert, a shining star in a sea of drab: McAwesome Ranch, the home of McAwesomefest.

You may not have heard of McAwesomefest.  That’s because this is not a publicly advertised festival. But that doesn’t make it exclusive – all are welcome who are lucky enough to learn about this gem of a fest. The Facebook Group and website are the sole sources of information pertaining to McAwesome, and through those channels, attendees make a donation to secure their spot.

This was our first time attending McAwesomefest, although many friends in-the-know have been prioritizing this party and singing its praises for years.

The first thing to greet us upon our arrival at McAwesomefest at the start of Memorial Day Weekend 2026 was the smiling, friendly faces of the volunteers working the gate. We effortlessly checked in and were directed to an orderly field laid out for campers of all shapes and sizes. Tents, vans, buses, and RVs gathered together in an easy-to-navigate festival landscape that would be home for the next several nights.

Immediately upon parking and setting up our camp, we were met by friends from all around. If you know someone at McAwesome, you will see them – the camping field consists of 3 rows that can easily be walked in their entirety in a matter of minutes. After greeting the friends we knew, we immediately made new ones whom we then happily ran into all weekend.

The feeling of community was instantaneous and incredibly welcoming.

That’s what small music festivals are about – connections.

We’ve left plenty of fests lamenting how we never ran into so-and-so, or barely got to hang with what’s-his-name. Not at McAwesome. In fact, we didn’t just meet new friends, we sincerely got to know them. Unlike most fests and concerts where we may have a quick hello and a hug before spending the night dancing in a crowd, at McAwesome we actually had the time and space for conversation and connection.

That space for connection exists everywhere at McAwesome – from perusing the “Free Stuff” table (at camp Martin) to chatting with a group of kids offering free popsicles, to the Friday night welcome “pot luck” (featuring Sarah P & the Haypullers), to the many picks and jams happening all day and night throughout the grounds – there is so much more to experience at McAwesome than just the music.

That’s what music festivals are supposed to feel like.

We were first drawn into the festival world by the creativity, uniqueness, and magic of the campgrounds, the fans, and the community. Sure, the music sells the tickets, but the people make the fest.

But let’s talk about the music, because McAwesome certainly doesn’t lack in that department. 👇

McAwesome has historically been on the cutting edge of bringing in big artists slightly before they are household names, often allowing for their most intimate performances. Artists like Big Richard (who famously formed for McAwesome), Billy Strings, Kitchen Dwellers, and many more huge talents have graced the McAwesome stage.  

For 2026, McAwesomefest continued that trend, bringing in Colorado’s own Magoo for 2 nights.  Magoo traveled straight from an appearance at DelFest in Maryland, where they are continuing the world domination tour they seem to be on for the entirety of 2026.  Magoo is simply one of the hottest jamgrass bands around right now, shredding with incredible musical talent and songwriting to match, creating new fans and followers at every stop. McAwesome was incredibly lucky to capture this lightning in a bottle on their rapid rise to the top.  

Grant Farm, the Colorado supergroup featuring Tyler Grant, Ace Engfer, Sean Macaulay, and Kevin McHugh, hasn’t played together in 4 years, but reunited for 4 shows this weekend as part of Tyler Grant’s 50th birthday celebration.  McAwesomefest was treated to the final of the 4 shows, and it was a barn burner!  

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From top to bottom, this McAwesome roster was packed with talent who all came to throw down on the tiny and intimate McAwesome stage. Smörgåsgrass kicked off Saturday’s party with a bluegrass bang, even treating us to a set of their brand new album! Rebecca Frazier Duo brought all the feels, and Deer Creek Sharp Shooters‍ reminded us of what a killer band they are, blending their Harford County, Maryland roots with their Colorado connections into a unique style.

After a beautiful afternoon “Whispergrass” Yoga Session, Sunday kicked off with an amazing gospel set, led by Matt Thomas of Tonewood String Band (not officially on the roster, but in attendance). The sing-along set by the “Chapel Hill Rounders,” performed on the hilltop above the barn, represented the perfect harmony of community and music at this fest.

Ms. W’s Flower Hour kept the vibes going with an authentic single-mic style set blending old and new, while Kathleen Parks Band combined amazing fiddle and vocals with a tight 3-piece band whose big sound kept us looking for more members on stage.

And of course, the aforementioned Grant Farm and Magoo. Grant Farm’s set was met with many mentions in the crowd of, “Damn! I forgot how good Grant Farm is!” and “Shit, I miss Grant Farm!” All we can say is, “Please come back, Grant Farm!”

Magoo on Saturday threw down a set of pure fire, highlighted by an epic 32-minute “Too Many Cats, Man!” and an acoustic encore featuring an audience sing-along of a gospel-set teaser “I’ll Fly Away.” And of course, the unofficial train-whistle artist-at-large, Alex Niehaus, sitting in for a train whistle solo for the ages.

After traveling from the other side of the country and playing a killer set on Saturday, it would be understandable if Magoo took it easy on Sunday night. But that’s not Magoo! Instead, Sunday’s closer set seemed to go on for hours – we clocked it around 2.5 and change (but our watch doesn’t tell time).

An extended “Riding Trains” featured CJ Bills and Erik Hill giving Dylan and Denton a brief break while they broke it down. The duo’s picking jam melted every face before bringing the band back and triumphantly returning to the final chorus with the collective voices of the entire festival joining in.

As was done the previous evening, Magoo closed out with another acoustic sing-along, where everyone in attendance bonded together in joy, before taking that feeling to the campground to keep the pickin’ parties going ‘til the wee hours.

Festival founder Matt McMurry took the stage several times throughout the fest to share the message of community, music and love. Matt and his festival partners, Rachel Peterson and Michelle Lee, continuously spread that message throughout the weekend – always thanking the dedicated volunteers, musicians and fans who come together to create something so special each year.

And at the end of the day, that is why they do this.

It’s about supporting musicians. Lifting each other up.  Spreading joy and love, and creating community.

This festival – this feeling – is best summed up by the McAwesome logo that hangs behind the stage: a heart with wings, showing how music can lift us up and spread love.

That is McAwesome.