Best mandolin (or related) festivals?

[khusted]

Hi all!
I'm new to the mandolin scene. I'm wondering what some of the best mandolin festivals are? I was recently at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival, and it had a nice selection of demos, concerts and luthier vendor booths. I'd like to find something like that for mandolins. I'm not sure if there are many festivals that are that instrument specific for mandolins or if it's done by more by genre, like bluegrass. Anyway, any recommendations are greatly appreciated. I live in California, so I'd be most likely to attend something on the West Coast, but I'd love to hear of any great festivals that you recommend.
Thank you!!!
Kelly

[Michael Weaver]

The Walnut Valley Festival or Winfield as it is known is where the National Championships is held. Warning: Once you go you will never stop! www.wvfest.com

[khusted]

Thanks so much! Looks amazing.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

For mando-centric gathering you really cant't do better than the annual Mandolin Symposium organized by Mike Marshall and David Grisman in Santa Cruz, just over the hill from where you are. Check out their website: http://www.mandolinsymposium.com/

Another good one on the left coast is Wintergrass takes place annually in Bellvue, WA (http://www.acousticsound.org/).

[Dan Krhla]

Anything even remotely as cool in the Northeast?

[khusted]

I'll have to check out the symposium! It's close to home I was aware of Wintergrass and would LOVE to attend next year. Thanks for the info!