The 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival
Join us April 10–12, 2026, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds for a weekend filled with live music, storytelling, family-friendly activities, craft vendors, camping, and the community spirit that continues to honor the legacy of Florida troubadour Gamble Rogers!
The YoungFolk Stage highlights the next generation of musicians, giving performers age 21 and under the opportunity to step onto a nationally recognized festival stage. These talented young artists represent the future of folk music, carrying forward the traditions of storytelling, songwriting, and musicianship that the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival celebrates.
Our 2026 YoungFolk Schedule
Our 2026 YoungFolk Performers
Pine to Peak
Pine to Peak is a local folk band from St. Augustine. The band consists of Aiden Lafontaine (mandolin and vocals), Paige Bechtold (banjo), Eowyn Sage (guitar and vocals), and Rumi Rubino (bass and vocals). They write originals as well as perform covers in the style of folk, with roots in bluegrass. Having been together for less than a year, they are very excited for their debut performance on the young folk stage!
YoungFolk Stage
Saturday, April 11th 2:50PM
Shayla Nelson
Shayla grew up in St. Augustine, listening to live music at every opportunity. She began singing at a young age and, though still a student, is also a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. In addition to her studies, she works at a recording studio, learning her craft and working with sound engineers and other musicians. Nelson plays piano, guitar, and ukulele, and most often accompanies herself on the guitar when performing. She has performed covers and her own songs in a variety of venues, and has backed-up other singers around town.
YoungFolk Stage
Saturday, April 11th 2:10PM
Elcie Stella
Elcie Stella is excited to be returning to the Gamble Rogers YoungFolk Stage for the fourth year. Elcie is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. In addition to music, Elcie loves theater, visual arts, playing competitive soccer, and spending time with friends and family in her hometown of St. Augustine, FL.
YoungFolk Stage
Sunday, April 12th 12:20PM
Kaden Vandenberg
Kaden has been studying and playing classical guitar for several years under the guidance and instruction of Chuck Rogers (the Rogers Family.) At this point in his young life he’s not seeking professional opportunities, the playing itself is its own reward but he is looking forward to this debut on the YoungFolk Stage.
YoungFolk Stage
Saturday, April 11th 12:20PM
Eloise Rixey
Eloise Rixey, a St. Augustine Beach native, is a singer-songwriter whose passion for music ignited at the age of seven. With a deep-rooted connection to her coastal hometown, Eloise weaves intricate tapestries of sound and story through her indie-folk compositions. Her music is characterized by complex and metaphorical lyricism, effortlessly blending the raw emotion of folk with the indie spirit.
YoungFolk Stage
Sunday, April 12th 2:50PM
Lane Drix
At 18 years old, Lane Drix is an aspiring singer/songwriter pursuing a career in the music industry. He lives in St. Augustine, Florida, where he attends private studies for voice an guitar while seeking opportunities to perform the music he loves and to share his gift with others. He is a powerful young performer who is returning to the Gamble Rogers YoungFolk stage after a successful set at last year’s festival and a acclaimed performance at the SingOutLoud YoungFolk showcase at
the Waterworks.
YoungFolk Stage
Saturday, April 11th 3:30PM
Sydney Strings
Sidney is a 13 year old fiddle player. She has been playing since she was 6. Although she started with classical violin, she slowly transitioned to fiddle over the years. When she was around 7 she started busking outside of her local grocery store in Redding, California. Now she plays at local festivals and farmers markets round Florida.
YoungFolk Stage
Saturday, April 11th 11:40AM
Jesse Sawyer
Hailing from the quiet country town of Middleburg, Florida, Jesse Sawyer grew up immersed in the sounds of folk, blues, and country music. Introduced to these timeless genres at a young age, he developed a deep appreciation for the poetic songwriting of legends of the past. Their influence is woven into his own songs, which are celebrated for their vivid, witty storytelling and raw emotional depth. Jesse’s performances are marked by his ability to play harmonica while strumming his guitar, creating a rich, layered sound that transports listeners to a simpler, more soulful time. As he continues to grow as an artist, he remains dedicated to carrying on the traditions of the troubadour, delivering music that speaks to the heart and human condition, and honors the roots of American songwriting.
YoungFolk Stage
Sunday, April 12th 1:00PM
Varella String Band
The Varella String band is a group of bluegrass musicians who met in St. Augustine High School’s Americana Music Program. The have performed locally around St. Augustine: Peirre’s Pub, The Waterworks, and the Front Porch of the St. augustine Amphitheater. They love learning about and honoring traditional bluegrass while also making it their own.
YoungFolk Stage
Sunday, April 12th 4:15PM
As the oldest music festival in St. Johns County, we are ever grateful to YOU, our longtime and dedicated supporters to help us keep this important and fulfilling musical legacy alive and well.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we'll look forward to seeing you soon!
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Here are a few magical moments from our 30th Anniversary Festival Celebration
with Gamble's own spectacular rendition of his tune, Deep Gap Salute, written in honor of his longtime friend, Doc Watson.
