Grab your lawn chair and mark your calendar—Baygrass Festival returns September 20–21, 2025 and we couldn’t be more excited! With bluegrass pickin’, Chesapeake flavors, and a shoreline backdrop that can’t be beat, this festival has quickly become one of the Bay’s most beloved gatherings. To get in the spirit, we sat down with Baygrass producer Ron Katz for a rapid-fire Q&A.
Spoiler: there’s a dancing crab involved.
Q: What would the theme song to your life be?
Ron: “In My Life” by The Beatles.
Classic choice. Just like the Bay, this one never goes out of style.
Q: What’s your happiest memory on the Bay?
Ron: Every time I am on the Bay takes me to my happy place.
Hard to argue with that. Anyone who’s spent even five minutes on the water knows what he means.
Q: If Baygrass had a mascot, what would it be?
Ron: A banjo pickin’ dancing crab.
ORP’s mascot Shelly would love another Bay-friendly friend! We vote yes. Someone get this crab a hat and a spotlight on the main stage.
Q: What’s one thing you think everyone should know about oysters?
Ron: The Bay was once plagued with oyster pirates known as the “Mosquito Fleet,” which led to oyster wars and the creation of the Maryland State Oyster Police—later the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Turns out oysters don’t just clean the Bay, they’ve helped shape its history too.
Q: If you could share an oyster with anyone (past or present), who would it be?
Ron: Shucking oysters and swapping fish stories with Billy Strings after he plays Baygrass would be a grand way to spend an evening on the Bay.
File that under “festivals dreams we hope come true.”
See You at Baygrass
Baygrass Festival isn’t just about the music, it’s about celebrating the Chesapeake Bay, its culture, and the role oysters play in keeping it thriving. Join ORP and thousands of Bay lovers on September 20–21, 2025 for a weekend of toe-tappin’ tunes, local flavors, and maybe even a dancing crab cameo.
🎟️ Learn more & grab your tickets here.