Bluegrass fest moves to Rose City

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's all starting to come together. The stage is set for the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival's first year at Dodd Stadium in Norwich.

After a 16 year run in East Hartford the festival made a move to the Rose City.

"Well it's going to be a new experience and we're looking forward to it," said Clyde Proch, festival goer.

Proch is the first of 4,000 folks expected to hear 15 acts in four days.

"I know when you left East Hartford you also left about $25,000 in corporate sponsorship behind. How is that affecting the festival here," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"Well obviously we moved so late a lot of the local businesses and corporations have already donated or already figured out their funding levels," said Roger Moss, Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival. "It's been a struggle, but the greater Norwich Chamber has come forward and has really helped us."

Moss tells News 8 cuts were made to compensate, but the audience won't notice a thing. Local businesses like one Ace Hardware though could notice a boost this weekend.

"I'm sure you know they'll need supplies and they'll be hunting for a store and that sort of thing," said Proch.

If you're wondering how the well-groomed outfield will hold up under the feet of so many festival goers News 8 took a closer look. The grounds crew has put down a layer of sand to help protect it, even if it rains.

"It's not going to rain," questioned Detelj.

Oh yeah I forgot that," said Moss. "Come on. We put an order in 12 months ago."

The bluegrass festival begins Thursday.