IBMA World Of Bluegrass 2021 To Enforce Vaccination, Mask Requirement

With the resurgence of COVID-19, IBMA World of Bluegrass 2021, taking place in Raleigh, North Carolina from Sept. 28-Oct. 2, has updated its health and safety protocol requirements for attendees.

This year, attendance and participation in all registered and ticketed activities will now require proof of vaccination, including the IBMA Business Conference, the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase series, the 32nd Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards presented by Yamaha, and the main stage at the Red Hat Amphitheater for IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC. After showing proof of vaccination upon check-in to the event, participants will be issued a wristband that must be worn at all events.

In addition to the changes approved by the IBMA Board, the mayor of Raleigh, NC, issued an emergency proclamation on Aug. 13 requiring people to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public spaces and businesses. Because of this, masks will also be required for all indoor activities featured during World of Bluegrass.

“As live bluegrass music begins to re-emerge, our emphasis on a safe return cannot be understated,” shares Mike Simpson, IBMA’s Board Chair. “We have been closely monitoring safety guidelines, and in the interest of everyone’s safety, our Board of Directors has taken the unanimous position that participation in this year’s World of Bluegrass begins and ends with safety–requiring proof of vaccination and indoor mask wearing. I am pleased to say that our discussions were strikingly non-political and focused purely on the best safety measures that we could take for all involved.”

“Our internal surveys–conducted in both March and July–found that more than 90% of respondents planning to attend this year’s World of Bluegrass also planned to be fully vaccinated before getting to Raleigh,” explains Pat Morris, IBMA’s Executive Director. “We have been working diligently with our partners in Raleigh to bring the community together for an unmatched bluegrass experience in a safe environment, and the health and safety of our attendees is our number one priority. Some of the changes we have already made include planning for less crowding in the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater; streamlined scheduling, larger conference session spaces, and careful consideration of bottleneck areas.”

For those not able to attend in person, there will also be an option to stream select content throughout the week on Swapcard. All virtual attendees will have access to the virtual exhibit hall, conference sessions, and music performances. Details for virtual tickets will be announced in the coming weeks.

IBMA and the city of Raleigh will continue to analyze, update, and adjust health and safety measures for all aspects of IBMA World of Bluegrass over the coming weeks. Anyone who has already purchased registration or tickets but prefers not to participate in the updated health protocols for the 2021 event will be eligible for a refund by visiting the IBMA website.

IBMA World of Bluegrass joins a plethora of other events, businesses, and venues who have enforced similar COVID-19 protocols over recent weeks, including Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, Bonnaroo, Summerfest, Live Nation, AEG Presents, and many more. For more information about COVID-19, the Delta variant, and vaccinations, click here.