Organizers of the 22nd annual ROMP Festival have announced the event drew more than 19,500 attendees from 36 states and seven countries — solidifying its place as one of the region’s premier music festivals and a vital fundraiser for the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Already looking ahead, officials announced Monday that the 2026 ROMP Festival will take place June 24-27 at Yellow Creek Park.
While officials declared ROMP 2025 a success the day after the festival ended, the final attendance number — coupled with strong camper turnout and global reach — paints an even clearer picture of the four-day event’s continued growth and impact.
This year’s ROMP welcomed visitors from across North America and as far away as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.
“The 2025 ROMP Festival, held at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro, was a tremendous success, welcoming thousands of bluegrass fans despite the sweltering heat, occasional winds, and rain,” said Adam Engelhardt, executive director of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and ROMP Festival.
Engelhardt said aside from “unforgettable performances” by Wynonna Judd, the Del McCoury Band, Molly Tuttle, Sam Bush, and others, highlights of the event included artist-led workshops and impromptu jam sessions throughout the campgrounds.”
Music was nonstop, with performances on both the Main Stage and the Jagoe Homes After Party Stage, and intimate sets at the downtown Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Envision Lobby Stage. Daily workshops were also offered on the Louisville Folk School Workshop Stage, giving attendees a chance to learn directly from festival artists and local educators.
“These moments further solidified ROMP’s reputation for musical richness and community spirit,” Engelhardt said. “The event proudly reflected the mission of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum: to celebrate and preserve the global legacy of bluegrass music. A special thanks to our incredible volunteers, generous sponsors, vendors, and attendees.”
