Welcome to the Buckeye Dulcimer Festival
Our History
The Buckeye Dulcimer Festival has a rich 30+ year history celebrating the dulcimer and its music featuring top-notch instructors, dedicated staff, and a beautiful facility, Recreation Unlimited just outside Ashley, Ohio.
In recent years, the clawhammer banjo, autoharp, and harp have been added. Join us as we honor the traditions and the artists who have shaped this unique event.
The Buckeye Dulcimer Festival, more than a weekend!
What is 'The Buckeye Dulcimer Festival'?
The festival is made up of two parts:
- THE EXTENDED - From Wednesday through Friday around 3:30, the emphasis is on instruction. On Thursday and Friday, the participant will have a total of 10 hours of instruction with the same instructor. (Thursday and Friday 5 hours each).
- THE WEEKEND - Starting Friday afternoon, the schedule takes on more of a traditional festival with vendors, evening concerts, Saturday workshop mini-sessions, and Sunday morning Gospel Sing.
Instructors for 2026
MOUNTAIN DULCIMER
Stephen Seifert, Dana Gruber, Diane Hochstetler
HAMMERED DULCIMER
Timothy Seaman, Kathie Hollandsworth, Melanie Shapiro
AUTOHARP
John Hollandsworth
BAND-IT!
Shari Wolf
CLAWHAMMER BANJO
Joe Steiner
HARP
Lorinda Jones
WEEKEND ADDITIONS: Shane Braden, Phyllis Davis, Phyllis Howard, and Chris Steiner
Festival Packages
There are three basic onsite registration packages designed to accommodate the participant's schedule.
- Wednesday - Sunday (Full Fest - Pkg 1 & 2)
- Friday 3pm - Sunday (Weekend - Pkg 3 & 4)
- Saturday only - Pkg 5
Packages are available with and without housing.
All packages include all meals.
There are Zoom options for those who cannot attend onsite for the Thursday and Friday ten-hour sessions.
Capture the magic of Buckeye Dulcimer Festival
