By Ellie Johnson
Not even sweltering heat or scattered rain could dampen the energy at ROMP, as the four-day bluegrass festival delivered high-energy performances, family-friendly fun, and the community spirit that keeps fans coming back. With thousands of attendees — some from as far as Germany and the Czech Republic — packing Yellow Creek Park, organizers called this year’s event a resounding success.
“It’s been a little hot, and we’ve had a little bit of rain, but we haven’t had any major delays or emergencies,” said Erin Rouse, marketing manager for the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the organization that hosts ROMP. “From our standpoint, it’s definitely been a success.”
The final day of ROMP traditionally draws the biggest crowd, and this year was no exception. While this year’s lineup included three Hall of Fame members (Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush, and The Dillards) Saturday headliner Wynonna Judd delivering a big performance after being perhaps the most anticipated name on the lineup.
While the main stage performances are always the highlight, Rouse said this year’s free workshops saw a noticeable boost in participation. On Saturday, for example, artist Tray Wellington hosted a drop-in banjo session where festivalgoers could learn straight from the pros.
The Kid Zone also saw a strong turnout, offering activities such as friendship bracelet making and harmonica lessons to keep young ROMPers engaged.
Backstage, artists echoed the positive energy.
“We have a lot of artists who have been here many times,” Rouse said. “They say ROMP feels like a family reunion.”
Final attendance numbers won’t be available until early next week, but Rouse said the festival remains in line with previous years and continues to show steady growth. She credited the festival’s staying power to its ever-evolving lineup and new activities that keep the experience fresh.
Rouse also noted that the festival wouldn’t be possible without the nearly 200 volunteers who help keep things running, from ticketing to traffic control.
“We could not do this without them,” Rouse said. “Many of them have been with us for years, and they will always greet you with a smile.”
Despite the heat and a few scattered showers, operations stayed on track.
“It’s part of the festival experience,” Rouse said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Planning for next year’s event will start as early as August, with securing artists at the top of the list. Until then, Rouse said the team will take time to reflect — listening to feedback, identifying wins, and finding ways to improve.
“We want to make sure ROMP continues to be a great experience for everyone,” she said.
