17000 State Route 854, Rush, Kentucky 41168, United States
Wildflower Festival 2025
Our festival sprouted…
…from the seeds and soil of our love and trauma. Community, music, and art help us heal.
Pictured here is the lovely and talented Lacey Quinlan. She is a long time supporter of Wildflower Festival and will be gracing us with her presence again this year!
Each year we grow…
…bigger and fuller as we deepen our roots and cultivate relationships. This year’s line-up is simply spectacular and many other activities are planned.
Native Invaders, in the image above, will make their Wildflower Festival debut this year and attendees will be encouraged to participate in art making.
We will be in full bloom June 7th, 2025…
We will be in full bloom June 7th, 2025…
…and on track to have the best blossoms yet! Wildflower Festival will host many talented local musicians, such as Carla Gover, pictured here and whose work is known globally.
Carla supported our festival during the pandemic and has been an amazing mentor and role model.
Please join us in Rush, Kentucky!
We will be in full bloom June 7th, 2025…
Enjoy free music from local musicians and our Nature vs Machine Art Exhibit.
Steampunk Xena, the fire dancer seen here, will perform and many community crafting activities will be available.
Wildflower Festival 2025 Lineup & Performers
2025 Lineup
Wildflower Festival lineup is jam packed with ridiculously talented local musicians.
2025 Performers
The 2025 performers are Steampunk Xena, Ditch Lilies, Meena Atif, Lacey Quinlan, Alicia New, Better Off Fred, Rogue Sheep, The Mountain Laurels, Petey Quatro and the Part Times, The Mason & Taylor Band, Janean Freeman, Native Invaders, MotherCreek, The Laurelys, Emily Jamerson, and Carla Gover.
Dana Aiyana, a dj originally scheduled to perform, unfortunately may not be able to make it, but she is listed in the lineup and loved!
Emily Jamerson
It is no secret that the hills of Eastern Kentucky have produced premiere musical talent for decades. Raised in Prestonsburg Kentucky, Emily Jamerson is another one of those extraordinary talents. With the voice of an Appalachian siren, her love of music was cultivated on Sunday afternoons amongst family and friends swapping mountain traditonal and old gospel songs. Combining influences from artists like Loretta Lynn, Kacey Musgraves, and John Prine, along with growing up with her brother Nicholas, it’s no surprise that Emily has a sound that’s deeply rooted in southern tradition. Jamerson’s music explores love, the bond of family, and growth within one’s self.
“Equal parts southern songbird and mountain siren, Prestonburg, Kentucky's Emily Jamerson is one of those artists
and is someone we think you MUST know.” Hillbilly Hippie Music Review
A picture of Emily seated on a white porch holding her acoustic guitar. She is wearing sunglasses and has her hands propped on her guitar. She has long brown hair and is wearing a tank top. A reflection of a huge gorgeous red flower is in the foreground of the photo. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is red at the top that turns to pink at the bottom
Carla Gover
Carla Gover is an 8th-generation Kentuckian, whose art and work celebrate the best of what the state has to offer. She shares flatfooting, ballads, and banjo through her performances, recordings, collaborations, and online courses. She’s released seven albums of music, with a new one entitled Kentucky Queen coming in July 2025. Her most recent two recordings (with Zoe Speaks & CornMaiz String Band), have made it to #1 on the Folk Radio Charts.
She’s won a slew of awards, including the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest and the Kerrville New Folk Award. She was also recognized as a Master Dancer by the Kentucky Folklife Program, and recently won the “Appy” for Best Dance Educator from the Appalachian Arts & Entertainment Awards. She is the founder of the groundbreaking online Appalachian Flatfooting & Clogging Academy.
With her partner Yani Vozos, she also coordinates the Cornbread & Tortillas Artist Collective, whose mission is to build community by sharing art, music, dance, and cultural heritage.
A picture of Carla Gover standing outside in a yard holding her banjo. She has long brown hair that is down and is wearing a blue skirt, grey top, a pendant necklace, and brown boots. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is red that turns to pink.
Steampunk Xena
Inger Talbot, aka Steampunk Xena, is a fire performer and personality, most often seen in the steampunk community. She has been manipulating fire since 2016, doing solo shows at conventions and festivals across the country. Her act includes a variety of props, including eating fire, breathing fire, fire fans, fire sword, fire umbrella and more!
An awesome photo of Steampunk Xena blowing fire. The background is a twilight sky and lush green tree. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is red that turns to pink.
Meena Atif
Dr. Meena Atif, a dentist and sitarist currently residing in Louisville, Kentucky, learned music from her father, Sediq Atif (a doctor, professional harmonium player and vocalist), and used it to master sitar. She imbibed the styles of her favorite gurus. Over the years she nourished, enriched and developed her own style of playing music, and sitar in particular. Her sonic embellishments are very unique and impressive. She has incredible finger dexterity evident in her fine and delicate sonic ornamentations. For example, on sitar, she gracefully oscillates and glides between multiple notes.
Her music has a peaceful and calming effect in her live concerts. In her studio, she enjoys improvisation and creating gorgeous sitar covers of her favorite composers that appeal to all audiences. She performs both as a solo artist and as a member of her orchestra, “Intercultural Ensemble”. Her favorite composers are her father, Pritam Chakraborty, Anu Malik and Salim-Sulaiman.
In addition to being a musical genius, she fluently speaks five languages. With her own compositions and style of music, she is well on her way to becoming one of the greatest musicians and sitar players in history.
A picture of Dr. Meena Atif playing her sitar on a stage. She is seated with her legs crossed. She is looking down as she plays and is wearing a beautiful red outfit. She has long dark hair that is down and is on a red rug. A black bag is behind her. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is red at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
Native Invaders
The Native Invaders are an energetic, four piece rock group with a dynamic blend of grooves and styles. Singer songwriter Jaret Ellis has been playing music with Kelly May for going on 20 years and are joined by literal brothers Nick and Quinn Blandford. The songwriting comes from lots of different themes from introspective to protest and even quirky fun stuff as well. It’s been a hell of a year, so let’s release some energy and howl at the moon together!
A picture collage of Native Invaders playing their instruments. The drummer is on the right, a guitarist and vocalist is in the middle in the foreground, another guitarist is in the middle in the background, and the bassist is on the left. Behind them is a room under construction.
Alicia New
Alicia New is a singer songwriter from Frankfort known for her original witchy songs. She conjures images of ethereal landscapes and heart wrenching love songs. She has been described as the love child of Dolly Parton and Stevie Nicks nurtured at a ren faire day care ran by Pink Floyd.
She is working on an album with Jason Simpson, bassist for Colter Wall. They have 4 songs released. She has several songs that get radio play. She plays drums in another band, Sparky Greene and The Pollinators. They both play a lot of shows and festivals.
A picture of Alicia performing on a wooden stage. She is singing into a mic on a stand while playing a guitar. She is surrounded by sound equipment. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a cowgirl hat and sunglasses. She is wearing an adorable black dress covered in red hearts and red cowgirl boots.
The Laureyls
Inspired by the haunting melodies of Old-Time Appalachian music and the beauty of the mountains where it originated, The Laurelys are a Newport, Kentucky-based duo comprised of husband and wife Laura and Ely Beyer.
After meeting at the start of 2020’s lockdown and despite having very different musical backgrounds, the pair found their voices blending effortlessly into delicate, interwoven harmonies. Set against the clawhammer banjo, their sound evokes the centuries-old sound of the hills of Kentucky, while bringing a fresh and modern energy, telling stories of love, life’s challenges, and finding solitude in nature.
Natural performers, The Laurelys play “with an energy... rarely seen or heard considering their style of music,” said Jared Bowers of Cincy Music. “...melodies that certainly referenced more modern songwriting, but never strayed too far from their literal and figurative grassroots... was given to the audience with a ferocity that was, frankly, stunning.”
A picture of The Laurelys lovingly sitting next to one another on a beautiful lawn. There are vibrant bushes and trees in the background. Ely is on the left and has short brown hair, is wearing a dark grey top and black pants, and is holding his banjo. Laura on the right has long blonde hair, is wearing a lovely black and white dress, and has her head leaning on the shoulder of her partner. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is green at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
More Wildflower Festival 2025 Performers!
Lacey Quinlan
Better Off Fred
Better Off Fred
Lacey Quinlan is a singer/songwriter that grew up in London, Kentucky. Her style is a storytelling, soulful noise. Don’t ask her what genre because she has no idea. Just listen okay?! She has fast songs and slow songs.
A black and white photo of Lacey doing a sound check on a stage. She is kneeling while holding her acoustic guitar and loo
Lacey Quinlan is a singer/songwriter that grew up in London, Kentucky. Her style is a storytelling, soulful noise. Don’t ask her what genre because she has no idea. Just listen okay?! She has fast songs and slow songs.
A black and white photo of Lacey doing a sound check on a stage. She is kneeling while holding her acoustic guitar and looking out at the audience area. She has short black hair and her bangs are pinned back. She is sporting tattoos and wearing a tank and cargo pants.
Better Off Fred
Better Off Fred
Better Off Fred
Better Off Fred (He/They) is a singer-songwriter who plays a variety of genres on his ukulele. From his original indie music to yodeling country to pop, they are dedicated to playing music that will hopefully make someone (anyone) feel something (anything).
A picture of Better Off Fred playing a banjo ukulele. They are seated in front o
Better Off Fred (He/They) is a singer-songwriter who plays a variety of genres on his ukulele. From his original indie music to yodeling country to pop, they are dedicated to playing music that will hopefully make someone (anyone) feel something (anything).
A picture of Better Off Fred playing a banjo ukulele. They are seated in front of a concrete wall. They have short sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and badass tattoos on his forearms. They have wearing a t-shirt that is green on the top and light grey on the bottom. They are looking down and smiling brightly. image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is grey at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
Rogue Sheep
Better Off Fred
The Mountain Laurels
Rogue Sheep is a local (OH-WV-KY tristate area) singer/songwriter and community organizer.
An image of Mark looking over his right shoulder at a camera and waving. The background is black and white but Mark is completely in color. He is wearing a tan hat and a light blue t-shirt. He has glasses and is smiling slightly.
The Mountain Laurels
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
The Mountain Laurels
This dynamic folk/bluegrass duo ain’t just talented—they’ve got fun chemistry, foot-stompin’ energy, and harmonies as sweet as grandma’s cornbread. If you love authentic mountain music with a modern twist, you’ll love The Mountain Laurels!
A picture of The Mountain Laurels performing together. They are shaded and in front of lush green fol
This dynamic folk/bluegrass duo ain’t just talented—they’ve got fun chemistry, foot-stompin’ energy, and harmonies as sweet as grandma’s cornbread. If you love authentic mountain music with a modern twist, you’ll love The Mountain Laurels!
A picture of The Mountain Laurels performing together. They are shaded and in front of lush green foliage. The Laurel on the left is playing an acoustic guitar. She brown hair that is pulled back and is wearing sunglasses and a jean sleeveless vest. The Laurel on the right is playing a mandolin. Her brown hair is up and she’s wearing white pants and a grey tank top. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is green at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
Born from jam sessions and part-time dreams, Petey Quatro and the Part Times are what happens when you stir up the ghost of Roger Miller with a cassette tape from 1967 and a basement freestyle session. Equal parts, blending front porch storytelling, folk ramble, rock shuffle, and hip hop heartbeat, they ride the line between nostalgic and
Born from jam sessions and part-time dreams, Petey Quatro and the Part Times are what happens when you stir up the ghost of Roger Miller with a cassette tape from 1967 and a basement freestyle session. Equal parts, blending front porch storytelling, folk ramble, rock shuffle, and hip hop heartbeat, they ride the line between nostalgic and now. With a sound that's loose, lived-in, and always evolving, their music feels like flipping through dusty vinyls while someone freestyle jams in the next room. Expect groove-heavy detours, lyrical curveballs, and moments that feel more like a jam with old friends than a performance.
"They’re not full-time musicians—but when Petey Quatro and the Part Times show up, it’s a full-time experience."
A black and white picture of Petey Quatro & The Part Times performing on a trailer stage. The image looks like film negatives and the top and bottom other pictures are above and below this image.
The Mason & Taylor Band
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
Petey Quatro and the Part Times
Mason & Taylor is a group comprised of musicians Griffin Mason and Greg Taylor. Griffin resides in Russell, KY with his wife Danielle and son Brady. He has played music throughout his life, mainly focusing on guitar and vocals, while occasionally playing drums. He reconnected with music during the COVID Pandemic of 2020, which led him t
Mason & Taylor is a group comprised of musicians Griffin Mason and Greg Taylor. Griffin resides in Russell, KY with his wife Danielle and son Brady. He has played music throughout his life, mainly focusing on guitar and vocals, while occasionally playing drums. He reconnected with music during the COVID Pandemic of 2020, which led him to begin playing live gigs as a mostly solo artist. Inspired by artists such as Keith Whitley, Joe Cocker, and Chris Stapleton, many of those sounds can be heard in Griffin's vocal style and also in original music.
Greg Taylor resides in Ashland, KY and has played music throughout his life as well, with a focus on guitar and vocals. He has worked as a professional musician while living in Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, OH, and Nashville, TN, before moving back to the Ashland, KY Area. Greg made the decision to step away from live music for many years, before jumping back into it in 2024.
In 2024, Griffin and Greg formed Mason & Taylor and began playing live gigs mainly as a duo, but on occasion with a full band as well. As a band, you will typically see Larry Deerfield (Drums) and Brent Jack (Bass Guitar) being added to the group.
A picture of Mason & Taylor in a dark train station standing back to back while holding their guitars. There is light coming in from the window behind them and two trains on each side of them. They are both wearing sunglasses and cowboy hats. One is dressed in silver and the other in black. Mason & Taylor Is written across the bottom in white.
Janean Freeman
Janean Freeman
Janean Freeman
A 2024 Appalachian Arts and Entertainment award-winning music educator, Janean Freeman has been performing and composing music since she was a child, and she’s thrilled to be appearing on stage at this year’s Wildflower Festival with MotherCreek! Janean has performed internationally as a solo artist and has appeared with the New
York Philh
A 2024 Appalachian Arts and Entertainment award-winning music educator, Janean Freeman has been performing and composing music since she was a child, and she’s thrilled to be appearing on stage at this year’s Wildflower Festival with MotherCreek! Janean has performed internationally as a solo artist and has appeared with the New
York Philharmonic, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and members of the
Lexington Philharmonic. Janean has also shared the stage with country music legend Tom T. Hall.
A black and white selfie of Janean. She outside, wind blowing her gorgeous brown hair, and looking off to her left. Gorgeous outdoor scenery is in the background.
MotherCreek
Janean Freeman
Janean Freeman
MotherCreek is a powerhouse duo that formed in 2006. Chris and Dara Hart Riley create their own blend of Appalachian folk rock with classical and metal influence.
An image of MotherCreek performing on a dark stage. Chris, the guitarist is on the left. He is wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans and playing his acoustic guitar. Dara, the singe
MotherCreek is a powerhouse duo that formed in 2006. Chris and Dara Hart Riley create their own blend of Appalachian folk rock with classical and metal influence.
An image of MotherCreek performing on a dark stage. Chris, the guitarist is on the left. He is wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans and playing his acoustic guitar. Dara, the singer is on the right holding and singing into a mic. She has long blonde hair and is wearing flowing orange pants, a light top, and beige cardigan. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is orange at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
Ditch Lilies
Janean Freeman
Ditch Lilies
Ditch Lilies are two ladies from Appalachia raised on country, gospel, and rock and roll. With Tia Woods on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Sarah Bailey on percussion, these gals play a wide range of music including crowd-pleasing covers such as covers of Wildflowers, Bad Moon Rising, Stuck in the Middle with You, Those Memories, She’s
Ditch Lilies are two ladies from Appalachia raised on country, gospel, and rock and roll. With Tia Woods on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Sarah Bailey on percussion, these gals play a wide range of music including crowd-pleasing covers such as covers of Wildflowers, Bad Moon Rising, Stuck in the Middle with You, Those Memories, She’s In Love with the Boy and Waterfalls. Originals by our own Tia Woods are thrown into the mix as well.
A picture of Tia and Sarah seated in chairs and warming up on a sidewalk in Chicago. The camera is on the ground and is angled up at the ladies. Tia has long brown hair that is down, is wearing a green t-shirt, and playing Pearl, her pink guitar. Sarah has medium length sandy blonde hair with the tips dyed hot pink and is wearing a black t-shirt. She is tapping her drum sticks on the arm of her chair.
Wildflower Festival 2025 Activities
2025 Activities
Activities for Wildflower Festival 2025 include the Nature vs Machine Art Exhibit & Reception, an instrument garden, a community art project, free live music, rock garden, free books, vendor(s), and crafting.
Given the weather forecast for the festival this year, the Photo Booth and Polaroid pictures will not be available.
Free tarot card readings were initially planned, keeping with Wildflower Festival tradition, but we were unable to secure a reader this year. Please accept our most sincere apologies.
Free Live Music
Wildflower Festival attendees will enjoy free high quality musical performances in an intimate setting. Just check out the schedule!
A picture of black signs with the words free music painted on them in pink. The signs are in a yard.
Free Books
The Book Depot and Grayson Library Club plan to distribute free books to young readers at Wildflower Festival this year. Please come take advantage of this opportunity!
A picture of The Book Depot and Grayson
Library Club set up at a table outside on a sidewalk and in front of a law office.
Nature vs Machine Art Exhibit & Reception
The Nature vs Machine Art Exhibit has been on and will remain on display at Camp Landing in Boyd County, Kentucky until Friday June 6th.
A short reception will be held at Wildflower Festival on Saturday June 7th at 12:00 pm.
Be sure to view the exhibit at the festival and please join us for the reception for a bubbly toast, acknowledgements, and comments.
A display sign for the Nature vs Machine Art exhibit. There is an orange rectangle at an angle across the top that says art show. Nature vs machine is written below this in a tan square. The background of the poster has two giant green trees on each side of the information described above. They tower into the sky and their dark branches and roots dig into the green ground beneath them. The background is indigo at the top that fades to bright sunset orange at the bottom. Digital codes can be seen faintly in the indigo section. A vibrant image is at the center of the bottom portion of the poster. It has an image of an eclectic mix of Appalachian flora and fauna. These include caterpillars, mushrooms, a moth, and goldenrods, to name a few. The image has a border made of wildflowers and the background is yellow at the top that turns to pink at the bottom.
Instrument Garden
We believe in encouraging creativity at Wildflower Festival. We will have a variety of instruments to pick from our Instrument Garden for any current or future musicians to enjoy.
A yellow graphic with a floral border and instrument garden written in the middle in fancy black font.
Community Art Project
Wildflower Festival participants are encouraged to create with our community art project.
A canvas and paints will be available. Instructions will be provided at the festival. The idea is for everyone to add fingerprints to the canvas to create a mature dandelion.
A light purple graphic with community art project written in neon pink Mylar balloon letters. A giant pink, purple, and blue dandelion with a green stem is in the middle of the graphic.
Rock Garden
The Wildflower Festival Rock Garden is a thoughtful crafting opportunity named after the musical energy at our festival and our love for the outdoors and crafting. Pre-washed rocks, painting supplies, and instructions will be provided. Participants are encouraged to decorate a rock with someone they cherish in mind, displaying their creations in an area specially marked for our garden.
A purple graphic that has rock garden written in black rock and roll font. Silver stars are faint in the background. An image of a bed of pink, purple, orange, yellow, and blue flowers among dark grey rocks is across the bottom of the image.
Vendor(s)
This is the first year vendors will be at Wildflower Festival. PeachTree Forage is the only to provide a confirmation but a few others say they’ll try and make it!
A picture of PeachTree art aka merchandise on display.
Directions/Parking
Directions/Parking
Wildflower Festival
17000 State Route 854
Rush, Ky 41168
We have had several inquiries about the location of and parking at the event.
Wildflower Festival is held a field in between a yellow house and white double wide.
The address provided will take you to the white double wide.
Parking for the event is at the end of the field near the yellow house.
There will be a designated parking and signs to help guide you to the correct space.
Any mapping technology should get you to the location but here are directions from I 64 in Boyd County, Kentucky:
Take exit 181 off I 64.
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp.
Drive about 2 miles, passing briefly into Carter County.
You will pass a Dollar General on the right.
State Route 854 is the first road on the left after the Dollar General.
Drive about 2 miles and you will come to a fork in the road. Veer left at the fork to stay on State Route 854.
Drive about 3 miles.
Wildflower Festival will be on the left.
There will be a sign for the parking area.
Food & Drink
Bring a Picnic & Cooler!
Food vendors will NOT be at Wildflower Festival.
We encourage everyone to bring a picnic and cooler for the day.
However, there are a few places within quick driving distance to get food and snacks.
Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill at Diamond Links Golf Course will actually deliver to the location of the festival.
Star Country Market & Pizza has had
Food vendors will NOT be at Wildflower Festival.
We encourage everyone to bring a picnic and cooler for the day.
However, there are a few places within quick driving distance to get food and snacks.
Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill at Diamond Links Golf Course will actually deliver to the location of the festival.
Star Country Market & Pizza has had a full menu and convenient store snacks.
Mudslingers Country Store has some food menu items and convenient store snacks.
Dollar General and gas stations are near with businesses such as Walmart, Walgreens, etc a little further away.
Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill
Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill at Diamond Links Golf Course will deliver.
Here is their number: 1-606-922-5004
Star Country Market & Pizza
Star Country Market & Pizza
Star Country Market & Pizza has had a full menu and convenient store snacks.
Here is their number: 1-606-474-4547
Mudslingers Country Store
Mudslingers Country Store
Star Country Market & Pizza
Mudslingers Country Store has some food menu items and convenient store snacks.
Here is their number: 1-606-928-5704
Other Options
Mudslingers Country Store
Other Options
Dollar General and gas stations are near with businesses such as Walmart, Walgreens, etc a little further away.
Dollar General: 2.7 miles away
Clarks Pump & Shop: 3.8 miles away
BP: 4.4 miles away
Rural King: 7.2 miles away
Walmart: 6.4 miles away
Walgreens: 9 miles away