On Saturday June 13, 2026, celebrate America’s 250th Birthday by enjoying folk music in an 1840’s historic village at the Doodle Folk Music Festival. Located in the village park in Bishop Hill, Illinois, some of the best-known Illinois folk musicians, such as Barry Cloyd, the Bucktown Americana Music Show, and more will be performing. Doodle was Bishop Hill’s first folk musician. A display about Doodle (Jonas Danielson) will be located in the park gazebo. All the park concerts are free and open to the public. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the music!
Music starts at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day. Peoria’s singer-songwriter Barry Cloyd will start off the day playing songs from his 10 CDs. At 11:30 a.m., the Taproot Wranglers will blend the classic sounds of old-time favorites with the contemporary vibes of Americana, bluegrass, and country swing. After a lunch break, the Bucktown Americana Music Show will then step on stage at 1:30 p.m. If you’re a fan of bluegrass, folk, Celtic, Americana, or old-time music, you’ll love the Bucktown Americana Music Show. To finish the day, Lee Murdock will be performing at 3 p.m. Noted as a fluent instrumentalist on the six and twelve-string guitars, Lee Murdock’s musical influences span fifteen generation, from 17th century Irish harp music, to Scott Joplin guitar rags, and embracing the blues, freshwater shanties, original songs and ballads.
In addition, June 13th is also the grand opening of the America’s 250th Birthday exhibit in the Steeple Building Museum. This exhibition showcases early American history artifacts, such as a Kentucky Long Rife, land grants signed by founding father James Monroe, and other unique items. The Steeple Building will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day and is located at 103 North Bishop Hill Street on the east side of the park.
The Doodle Folk Music Festival is made possible by funding from the Illinois Arts Council and the Minneapolis Foundation. Regional Media is our media sponsor. For more details, you can call 309 927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. Information about this festival is also posted on www.bishophillheritage.org and the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page.
Concert Schedule for Saturday June 13th
(main stage is located next to the park gazebo in the center of the village park)
10 a.m. Barry Cloyd
11:30 a.m. Taproot Wranglers
1:30 p.m. Bucktown Americana Music Show
3:00 p.m. Lee Murdock
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