band competitions

[Geoff]

DOES ANYONE KNOW if band competition tickets go on sale the same day as general tickets?

[BuckeyeDog]

Do you mean band registration? Think the way this works is that around the time the tickets go on sale in December, bands can register for the competition. There are only about a dozen band spots, so if you have a band that wants to register, get in quick. As for the competition itself, most of it is held in Elks Park which is free, and the final round is held inside the festival on the main stage on Saturday AM. There are no separate tickets for the band or troubadour competitions.

[Hot Sugar]

Some of the information you want can be found here. It doesn't look like they have the information about the 2016 contest up yet, but I bet if you call Planet Bluegrass, you'll be able to find the information you're looking for. There is a $75 registration fee that is refundable if you pull out before March. In addition, everyone in the contest needs at least a Saturday pass to the festival, as that is when the finals take place. Those passes will go on sale along with the four days and all camping not sold via lottery in December.