World of Bluegrass attendance down for post-pandemic event. A closer look at the numbers
The in-person return of the World of Bluegrass this fall once again brought live music, good times and a surge of economic investment to Raleigh and Wake County.
The International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual event drew about 101,368 in combined attendance and generated over $5.7 million in direct economic impact in the county, according to data released Wednesday by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
That’s less than half as many people as the pre-pandemic event in 2019, which had a combined attendance of 218,301 people.
The Visitors Bureau noted the economic impact represents tourism revenue into the local economy.
“It is important to note that the $5.7 million is a conservative estimate that does not include spending from locals, nor does it include a multiplier of indirect or induced impacts,” the Visitors Bureau said in a news release.
The event was Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, and represented a key weekend for revenue for many small Triangle local businesses, The N&O reported.
The music-centered event included the two-day festival, the IBMA Business Conference, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, the 32nd annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.
Attendance was still down compared to 2019’s event due to reduced pandemic crowds.
In 2019, the event, in its seventh year, generated $18.65 million in direct economic impact. That year, IBMA’s headlining concerts at Red Hat Amphitheater were free for the first time. Paid tickets returned this year for the Red Hat shows.
In 2020, IBMA took the event virtual with 80 hours of online content and live-streamed concerts.
This year, attendance at registered IBMA activities and paid concerts required proof of vaccination.
“It was vitally important to get back to live bluegrass music, as both musicians and fans were impacted by the events of the last two years,” said Pat Morris, executive director of the IBMA, in a news release. “The IBMA was able to accomplish holding a great weeklong event in a safe environment.”
IBMA received a three-year extension to continue holding the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh through 2024. Next year’s festival and events will take place Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, according to the IBMA, who announced the extension this year after working with city officials.
“Given all that’s happened over the last two years it was hard to know what to expect from the festival,” said PineCone executive director David Brower in a statement.
“No matter how you measure it, we are pleased with the 100% increase in attendance over 2020. Virtual was fun—but there’s no comparison to seeing the streets of downtown Raleigh filled with banjos, fiddles and smiling faces. We’re definitely back and are already looking forward to next year.”
By the numbers
Here are attendance and estimated visitor spending since the International Bluegrass Music Association moved its convention, awards show and festival to Raleigh.
| Year | Total Attendance | Total Direct Economic Impact |
| 2013 | 140,000 | $9.28 million |
| 2014 | 180,000 | $10.8 million |
| 2015 | 98,000* | $5.6 million |
| 2016 | 217,225 | $11.5 million |
| 2017 | 221,596 | $11.7 million |
| 2018 | 223,320 | $12.7 million |
| 2019 | 218,301 | $18.65 million |
| 2020 | 101,636** | NA |
| 2021 | 101,368 | $5.7 million |
*Rain forced the Wide Open Bluegrass festival inside the Raleigh Convention Center.
**The number reflects unique individual participants for a week of virtual programming on multiple online channels.
Source: Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, IBMA
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 10:59 AM.
