GottaGetGon 2026
​The GottaGetGon is a family-friendly folk music festival put on by the volunteers of the Pick-in' and Singin' Gatherin' every Memorial Day Weekend at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.
It welcomes adults, teens, and children to enjoy a weekend sharing music and friendship.
The festival grounds open for people to set up campsites on Friday, May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. There will be sporadic jamming sessions during the day but the festival proper begins in the evening with an Eat and Greet potluck from 6:30 to 8:00 - an opportunity for people to visit and build community over food. You can bring your own meal (brown bag it), bring food to share, or just come to join in. Paper plates, ice water and tea will be available. The Eat and Greet is followed at 8:15 by a performance by local bluegrass quartet Stringy and the Beans.
Workshops and concerts start on Saturday and run through Sunday with a barn dance on Saturday night.
The full schedule of Concerts and Workshops can be seen HERE.
Informal jamming takes place all weekend at various camp sites and pavilions.
The festival grounds close at 4:00 p.m., Monday.
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Tickets are available at the Gate - $100 all-weekend, includes camping or Daily Ticket $50.
Student tickets are half-price, kids under 18 free with adult ticket purchase.
Cash is preferred but there will be a QR code you can scan with your phone to pay online.
You can buy discounted tickets ($80 all weekend, $40 daily) in advance at ticketing gottagetgon-2026
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Four headliners will offer formal concerts and workshops. Check out their pictures on our Photos page.
Everyone participates in casual jamming on the campgrounds throughout the festival. All concerts and workshops are under cover in 4H buildings and pavilions so it’s on, rain or shine.
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Our Headliners are:
Lexi Ugelow
Lexi is a vocalist, songwriter, expressive arts workshop and music education facilitator based in Cambridge, MA.
She is a lifelong learner and lover of intergenerational community singing.
https://www.lexiugelow.com/​​​
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The Johnson Girls
The Johnson Girls are an energetic all-woman a cappella ensemble, performing traditional and contemporary music with an emphasis on songs of the sea and shore. With a sound that has been called “exciting,” “haunting,” and “uplifting,” the Johnson Girls give powerhouse performances that bring audiences to their feet wherever they go.
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Jenna Nicholls
Accompanied by Jon LaDeau, Jenna is an accomplished vocalist and songwriter, with a particular flair for Tin Pan Alley / Great American Songbook classics.
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After Jack
After Jack hails from Ferrum, VA, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The female duo performs music from, and inspired by, the rich musical traditions of the region. Emily & Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, perform traditional and original music with harmony vocals, fiddle, and banjo.
https://www.afterjackmusic.com/
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In addition to the Eat and Greet on Friday evening, there will be a Barn Dance Saturday night with caller Rindle Glick, music by George Wilson and Alan Thompson. Join us for a Sunday Morning Gospel Sing, an a Capella Sing Sunday at dusk and our final event, a Recitation session on Monday morning.
Camping is included and encouraged with your weekend fee. Please be sure to follow the State and Fairground regulations. Electric hookups are available. There is plenty of camping space - but not a lot of shade, so plan accordingly.
"Burgers around the World" food concession will provide an on-site dining option, but there are plenty of local establishments in Ballston Spa and environs.
State and Fairground Regulations
Tent/Camper Placements.
New York health and fire codes require that:
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Tents must be 10 feet apart. Pace it out or use a length of string available at the gate.
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There are clear roadways among tents to allow for emergency service access. These are clearly marked. Do not place tents in marked roadways.
Save yourself the hassle of having to move to correct an error.
Dogs
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No dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds at any time with the exception of certified service dogs, and they must be leashed and have proof of current rabies vaccination
COVID Policy
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Everyone makes their own decisions about masking, vaccination and distancing when they go food shopping, to church and so forth, and our festival is no different. We hope all festival-goers who can, are vaccinated and boosted. Wearing masks mitigates infection risk both to yourself and to others, as does distancing where possible. When making these choices, remember that some concert-goers have health conditions that increase their risks associated with COVID. Because of their careers, the performers are also particularly vulnerable. We ask that all attendees be respectful of each other's choices to mask up or maintain social distancing.