The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival rolls for its 5th year in San Francisco this October 1 and 2, 2005. I think this year's lineup is the best so far, and that is saying a lot, to put it extra mildly.

Imagine if you can... Del McCoury Band, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Dolly Parton, Ralph Flippin' Stanley, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Hot Rize, Tim O'Brien w/ Danny Barnes in his band, Robert Earl Keen, Peter Rowan, Gillian Welch, Doc Flippin' Watson, Dave Alvin, Joan Baez, and the list goes on and on...

All of this for flippin' free over two days at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow. Book your hotels or whatever,,, and remember the Bay Bridge will be suffering ramp demolition this particular weekend.

* Sorry about all the extra "flippin'", but this is the coolest event in the world.