The Northwest String Summit returned to North Plains, ORs Hornings Hideout from July 17-19. The 8th annual event, which is held on a 300-acre peacock farm, showcased a variety of strains of bluegrass, ranging from traditional musicians to more rocking and progressive artists. Yonder Mountain String Band offered two headlining sets each night on a bill that also boasted Darol Anger and Mike Marshall with Vn, the Infamous Stringdusters, Del McCoury and the Traveling McCourys and Strings for Industry, a group that consists of Darol Anger, Scott Law, Tye North and Carlton Jackson.

The family-friendly festival allowed for various collaborations and guest appearances. Danny Barnes, a guitarist and banjo player, joined Yonder for its first two shows. Likewise, Mark Rubin and Bryn Davies played with Yonder on Friday and Mike Marshall, Vn and Casual Del joined on Saturday. Saturdays set also featured a unique light show: the audience was able to see the international space station fly over at the end of Yonders first set.
On Sunday, Barnes hosted the String Summit Superjam in the afternoon with Rob and Ronnie McCoury. During Yonders final show of the weekend, the McCoury boys also sat in for most of the first set on such songs as Redbird, Southbound and On the Run. Yonder closed down the festival with a Darling Allalee and Troubled Mind encore. Report by Grace Beehler