Great Blue Heron
JULY 2nd - 5th 2026
SHERMAN, NEW YORK
thank you for another fantastic year!
2026 Dates
Mark your calendars if you know you are going to be at the Great Blue Heron Music Festival in 2026!
artist applications are now closed. they will reopen in October 2026.
Official 2025 Montage
Check out the official video recap of the 2025 Great Blue Heron and relive the magic!
FB Photo Album
Explore photos from the full weekend and download your favorites!
2025 Great Blue Heron Festival | Jay Strausser & Taylor Lewis
print your own poster at home!
Volunteers are the heartbeat of what we do!
We’d love for you to be a part of the magic by volunteering with us at #GBH25 this July 4th, 5th, and 6th in beautiful Sherman, NY!
Why Volunteer? You will earn a weekend pass and connect with amazing people who share your passion for music and community.
Plus! There’s so much to enjoy when you’re not working— music, dancing, and the pure joy of being surrounded by love and nature!
Volunteer spots are limited, don’t wait—come share in the and magic of GBH25!
The Music
Year-after-year, the Heron continues to delight audiences with an eclectic mix of musical genres. Our foundation began with Americana and old time mountain music, yet through the years, our lineups have expanded to also include funk, jam, soul, roots-rock, reggae, Celtic, afrobeat, zydeco and everything in between!
And, while our Heron community has grown, the mission of the festival remains the same:
- Present a diverse assortment of original music from regional and national artists
- Create a collaborative space where all are encouraged to participate and interact
- Foster a cooperative and positive environment for celebration
- Ensure a safe and satisfying experience for the whole community.
History of the Heron
We believe the magic of this place stems from the partnerships that were created back in 1992. In short, David Tidquist had the bands and Julie Rockcastle had the land! It was more than a piece of land though, The Heron had been a place of gathering, as a campground, since the 1960’s.
David and Julie brought people together over 30 years ago to enjoy 3 beautiful summer days of music and their legacy continues today! It’s taken hundreds, maybe thousands of volunteers, plus family and friends, to make this event thrive for so many years. Thank YOU for celebrating with us along this incredible journey!
A tribute to David Tidquist, co-founder of the GBH
David Tidquist, a legend in our time, left this world November 15, 2024.
David was the original spark that created The Blue Heron Music Festival in 1992. David co-produced the festival for 30 years with the help of Julie Erickson Rockcastle and her family, plus a multitude of friends and volunteers.
thank you to our sponsors!
Sponsorship from local businesses allows The Great Blue Heron to continue offering a safe and fun festival every year.
A special shout-out goes to Buddha Pants as a 2025 sponsor!
How Do I Get Involved?
Interested in being a volunteer, vendor or sponsor? We are always excited to meet new people and make new connections.
THE EXPERIENCE
CAMPING & PARKING
While camping is the best way to stay and be a part of the Great Blue Heron experience, festival goers are also welcome to come to the festival during the day and go home at night!
AMENITIES
Amenities at the festival grounds include clean drinking water, bathing facilities, campfire wood, ice and The Heron Farm Store.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
In addition to music, the festival offers a full slate of creative activities for young children and teens, instrument and wellness workshops for all ages, as well as a sandy beach by the spring-fed pond for cooling off during the day.
LEAVE YOUR LEGACY
Help us build new bathhouses by buying a brick! So far we have raised $45,000 and each brick gets us one step closer.
NEWS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST
A Tribute to David Tidquist
David Tidquist, a legend in our time, left this world November 15, 2024. There is sadness in our hearts and gratitude for all that David
The 32nd Annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival: Dedicated to Festival Co-founder David Tidquist
The 32nd Annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival: Dedicated to Festival Co-founder David Tidquist, July 4-6, 2025 The Heron, Sherman, NY – The 32nd annual Great Blue
Breaking Ground on the Bathhouse
We are excited to announce that Phase 1 of the NEW bathhouse is underway! Our family came in this weekend to help dig trenches for
Proud Partner of Chautauqua County Tourism Board
The Great Blue Heron is a proud supporter of all the great events and businesses in Chautauqua County. Visit TourChautauqua.com to learn more about what there is to see and do in the area!