BEAR CREEK BLUEGRASS - Bicycle/music social

Bear Creek Bluegrass - Bicycle/Music Social
April 18, 2026 - 3 pm - 10 pm
Antimi Shelter, Cosmo Park, Columbia MO - Click here for map

Join a fun loving group of social bike riders on a relaxed tour of the Bear Creek Trail! Departing from Columbia’s beautiful Cosmo Park on the the Bear Creek Trail. The ride travels 11 miles total on a crushed limestone and car-free trail that ends at Albert Oakland Park. Riders will meet up at the Antimi Shelter near the skate park at Cosmo Park. After departing on the Bear Creek Trail riders will ride around 2 1/2 miles before reaching their first trailside music stop! After continuing on ride, participants will explore the trail and experience more trailside music until reaching Albert Oakland Park. There riders will regroup at park Shelter #1. Here they will be rewarded with a stage show from the Kay Brothers! After the mid-ride break, it will be time to ride the trail back to Cosmo Park where the main stage will be waiting with the headlining entertainment. 

Featuring headlining acts: Arkansauce, The Mighty Pines, Front Porch (and more TBA)

At a glance:

  • 11 mile social/bike ride on the Bear Creek Trail. More about the social and less about the miles! View route map

  • Starts/finishes at Antimi Shelter at Cosmo Park.

  • Trailside music stops on the Bear Creek

  • Concert at Shelter 1 at Albert Oakland Park

  • Headlining stage at end of ride at the Antimi Shelter

  • Smaller riding group (maximum of 700 riders)

  • Scenic crushed limestone trail and car free route.

  • Ride and socialize at your own pace.

  • BYOB event

  • $65 includes event T-shirt (register by April 1st to guarantee a shirt), and live music throughout experience -

  • 18 years and under are FREE (does not include a shirt) - Please check in at the registration table when you arrive and we can get you set to ride.

Looking for just a ticket to the main stage show? Non-rider tickets available for $35 - Purchase at the event starting at 6 pm. Gates open at 6 pm!

Bear Creek Bluegrass 2025 - The first Bear Creek Bluegrass is in the history books! Thanks for joining!
Photos from Notley Hawkins- Click Here for Gallery

Mini Q&A

If you have a question, please drop us a message! 1st time festivals are a learning experience for everyone!

Q: Are lawn chairs allowed at the festival? A: Yes!

Q: Will alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks be available for purchase at the event? A: The event is a BYOB event. Please do not bring glass bottles to the park. Food vendors will have non-alcohol drinks available for purchase.

Q: Will food vendors be at the event? A: Yes, we are locking in the game plan. Please sign up early to help everyone know how much to prepare!

Q: Are dogs allowed at the festival? A: Sorry, please leave your furry friends at home this round.

Q: Can I run/jog the event instead of biking? A: Hell yeah! Join the fun!

Arkansauce

Arkansauce calls forth melodies of the Ozark Mountains' rolling hills and raging rivers with their distinct blend of newgrass. This progressive string quartet features Tom Andersen on bass, guitarist Zac Archuleta, Ethan Bush on mandolin, and Adams Collins on banjo. Their music features improvisational string leads matched with complex melodies, intriguing rhythms, and deep thumping bass grooves. Each member sings lead and harmony parts as well as contributes to the lyrics, which offer authentic, intelligent songwriting with hard-hitting hooks.

Learn more: www.arkansaucemusic.com

The Mighty Pines

The Mighty Pines are a soul-inspired roots rock band influenced by the wide rivers and red-brick streets of St. Louis. Like the steady and strong trees from which they take their name, the band continues to grow in stature and sound, creating vast musical landscapes with their layered harmonies and thoughtfully crafted instrumentation. They generate a palpable vibe on their latest album, Late Last Night. Produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Late Last Night stretches out with a sonic spaciousness, sliding effortlessly from roots and folk ballads to rock and soul. It also showcases the band’s growth as songwriters, arrangers, singers, and musicians. The Mighty Pines are touring nationally and have supported renowned acts such as JJ Grey & Mofro, The Dead South, Railroad Earth, Martin Sexton, Fruition and Sam Bush.

Singer/guitarist Neil Salsich reached national acclaim on Season 23 of NBC's The Voice. He earned a four chair turn on his blind audition, and was coached by Blake Shelton & Kelly Clarkson and highly praised by coaches Chance the Rapper, Niall Horan and Reba McEntire. The group is also an in demand studio band and recently recorded with Michael McDonald and Brian Owens. They are busy planning the release of two new albums, a single with Michael McDonald.

Learn more: www.themightypines.com

Front Porch

Described as “post-punk old time acid jazz barn burning bluegrass fusion that will have you jumping,” Front Porch independently released their first album "Shallow Grave" in the fall of 2023. Gaining attention across the U.S. with their energetic live shows, their performances highlight their skillful instrumentation, where foot stomping clawhammer banjo, ripping mandolin, guitar and fiddle melodies are at the forefront of their driving sound.  

Front Porch has been nominated for bluegrass band of the year for the Arkansas CMA’s in 2024 and 2025, headlined many festivals, and has supported artists such as Bela Fleck, Sierra Hull, Infamous Stringdusters, and Del McCoury. They  are currently on tour supporting their sophomore album “Toolbox.”  

Their most recent album highlights their continued growth as musicians and songwriters, where the band pushes the boundaries of American roots and bluegrass while creating their own unique sound. All four band members write songs for this album which creates a diversity of styles that reads as a cohesive collection. Guitarist John Henry pairs thoughtful storytelling with ripping guitar runs on his song, “Great Grandaddy’s Barn.”  Bassist Cameron Keeling brings a traditional bluegrass feel with high lonesome harmonies on “Truer Words.” Mandolinist Alex Hawf brings dark jazz inspired melodies to his tune, “Skvader.” And banjo and fiddle player Petey Wesley brings an old time vibe with his song “Meet me in the Ground.”

Learn more at: www.front-porch-music.com