The Verzasca Country Festival is the only event of its kind in Ticino, held every year at the beginning of August, attracting an ever-growing number of enthusiasts and tourists to Sonogno.
It is a small country music festival that takes place annually in Ticino and has successfully carved out its place among the multitude of summer music events and festivals of every kind. It has also earned a special place in the hearts of those who, out of curiosity—or even by chance—have travelled up to Sonogno, perhaps for the first time, following the road that leads from the shores of Lake Maggiore almost into the heart of the Alps.
The “Verzasca Country Festival” is a unique and unmissable event dedicated to country music in Ticino, made even more special by the charm of the Verzasca Valley, which has long captivated nature lovers, artists, writers and musicians.
Since its first edition, the festival has always been held on the first Saturday of August. It was conceived and strongly promoted by Carmen Gianettoni, a Canadian who settled in Sonogno and raised her family there. Loving the mountains of the Verzasca Valley—wild and beautiful, much like those of her native British Columbia—she helped create an event that is organized with the support of many volunteers, including the Alta Verzasca Fire Brigade, Hockey Club Valle Verzasca and the Verzasca Hiking Society.
To date, the festival has been held 20 times and has enjoyed steady growth in attendance from one edition to the next. In some years it has attracted more than 4,000 spectators. The event was cancelled in 2009 due to bad weather and again in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Since 2023, additional investments have been made to rent a large Canopy capable of covering most of the festival area in case of poor weather.
The fact that the festival takes place outdoors at the welcoming Sonogno ice rink its a risk the organizers must accept, but it is also one of the event’s greatest attractions, allowing visitors to enjoy the magnificent Alpine scenery surrounding the festival grounds until nightfall.
2005
The first edition was held in 2005 and featured two Italian groups: Bluegrass Stuff and Young Country. It was a success in every respect and encouraged the organizers to continue the adventure despite the uncertainties of the weather and the considerable costs and commitment required.
The festival offers excellent music for dancing, outstanding outdoor food and various activities, including short horseback rides for children. There are also stands selling local agricultural products and handicrafts, as well as chainsaw wood-carving demonstrations by skilled artists.
Another popular attraction is the gathering of the Harley-Davidson Ticino group.
2006
By the second edition in 2006, around 2,000 people attended performances by the Swiss bands Tabea & The Blue Sky and the award-winning Rodeo Ranchers, as well as the Ticino-based group Steel Rider led by Nando Morandi.
2007
In 2007, Ticino was represented by Acousticom, closing an evening opened by the Lonesome Runaways and continued by the Nashville Rebels. The event was once again a great success.
2008
In 2008, with the participation of Doris Ackermann, one of Switzerland’s country music stars, the evening opened with the Italian band Mismountain Boy and concluded with Next Stop Band, led by renowned fiddler Anchise Bolchi.
2009
Canceled due to a rainy and unpredictable summer.
2010
The festival returned in 2010, more lively than ever, attracting, on a magnificent sunny day and during a pleasant evening to be enjoyed outdoors, over 3,000 spectators who enthusiastically applauded the concert by the generous Rolf Raggenbass & Country Heart Band, a Swiss band. The evening was opened by the Italian group Lambergrass. The festival closed with a brilliant performance by the Swiss band The Rubbernecks, offering a true journey through the various styles of country music, from country rock to Tex-Mex and more.
2011
From this year, we are also present at the Locarno White Night with Julius Travella and Acusticom.
Canceled due to a rainy and unpredictable summer.
2012
For the White Night, we have organized T. Andrens and the Nashville Rebels.
In 2012, Tuff Enuff, a Swiss band founded in 2008 and composed of six members, returned to the stage with a mix of country, blues, and rock ’n’ roll. Full Moon Rodeo, also a Swiss band founded in 2008 with a repertoire ranging from pop, rock, and country.
Also performing were the Mama Bluegrass Band, who have managed to carve out their place on the music scene since their first appearance in 2006. The band is constantly reinventing itself: banjo and violin intertwine over an electric foundation without losing balance, while the acoustic guitar delivers a very roots and gritty sound, enhancing the bass and drum rhythms, which are increasingly tight and incisive. The lineup is now well established, yet the result continues to surprise, as demonstrated by their engaging live performances.
2013
For the White Night, we were present with Make Plain, a Swiss–Ticino band, as well as Anchise Bolchi and Next Stop Band.
In 2013, we had the pleasure of presenting Blue Dust, an Italian band founded in 2011 and specializing in bluegrass music. They were followed on stage by Unifour, a Swiss band also founded in 2011.
Closing the evening was the extraordinary Stacie Collins from Nashville United States, a singer, songwriter, and performer who captivated and energized the audience with her powerful honky-tonk voice and electrifying Harp Blues rock ’n’ roll sound.
2014
For the White Night, we were present with Luciano Gasperi and Fullmoon Rodeo.
In 2014, on the occasion of the fetival’s tenth edition, the event started at 11:00 a.m. for the first time, opening the day with Tram, followed by The Sharecroppers, a Swiss Band founded in 2009.
As every year, the festival featured not only country music but also the sound of chainsaws, as skilled artists carved wooden sculptures in front of the audience. The traditional country dance was also part of the program, performed by the Country Street Dancers.
The evening then continued with the renowned Suzanne Klee, an international artist from Zurich, Switzerland. She was followed by another Swiss band, the Honky Tonk Pickers. The night concluded with Modern Earl, an American band known for blending the sounds of rock and blues with energy and character.
2015
For the White Night, we were present with Lucky Ali, the Gun Fighters, and Unifour.
In 2015, the festival has broadened its program, starting with Sunny Mountain Grass, a Swiss bluegrass band, followed by a demonstration of traditional dances by the Country Street Dancers, who enchant both young and adult guests and involve them in line dancing together.
The evening continues with Suzie Candell, a singer with a powerful voice who is not only a performer but also a songwriter. To close the event, the Silverado New Country Band takes the stage, an Italian band known for its characteristic “made in USA” sound, captivating audiences with guitars, double bass, violin, mandolin, and percussion.
The interplay between music and dance creates a folkloric atmosphere typical of the American South, with high-energy country and bluegrass. This is a band that has performed not only in Europe but also in the United States.
2016
For the White Night, we were present with Don Erri & Sir Paul, and Acusticom, Harley Davy Ascona Steelrider
The journey does not stop; we continue working to ensure a Country day in the middle of nature. It has now become a tradition to see local souvenir stands, bars and Tex Mex food stands, as well as chainsaw wood carving and the Country Street Dancers, leading up to the concert, which in 2016 begins with Crash n Recovery from Sweden, followed by Western Angels, a young Veneto–Italian band, and the edition closes with Rackhause Pilfer, an Irish band passionate about their music, which is typically American and old-country.
2017
For the White Night, we were present with Linda Fiscalini, and Honky Tonk Pickers.
This year we hosted the Mismountain Boys, an Italian band entirely dedicated to country and bluegrass, and Timberline, a Swiss band that later disbanded in 2024. To close this edition, we have Croak, a fantastic young Swiss band that passionately aims to share country music with Switzerland.
2018
For the White Night, we were present with Country Street Dancers, and Silverado Country Band.
The 14th edition was cancelled due to logistical problems.
2019
For the White Night, we were present with Bar Bones, Country Street Dancers, and Mamma Bluegrass Band.
The evening featured Swiss and Italian artists. The event opened with Wickers, an Italian band with a country-folk sound. Then followed by Rosewood, a young Swiss band active since 2014, which released its first album in 2020, immediately reaching the Swiss Top Ten. Closing the evening Steelrider, a Ticino-based band that performs with great success not only in Switzerland but also in several European countries.
2020
No festival due to COVID‑19.
2021
No festival due to COVID‑19.
2022
We return to enjoying a fully Swiss day, starting with International Grass. For entertainment and dancing, Boots on Cowgirls delighted us with their line dancers, and the spectacular chainsaw wood carvings was once again part of the program. This year, to the great enjoyment of our younger guests, we will also welcomed Magician Silvano.
The day continued with another line dancing group, the Country Street Dancers, before making way for the music of Hillbilly Court, a very young band founded in 2020 that wen 3rd place at the Swiss Country Music Awards in 2024.
Then followed by the Nashville Rebels, a band active since 1991 and winner of the Swiss Country Music Awards in 1994. In 2021, on the occasion of their 30th anniversary, they travelled to Memphis to record their new album.
Closing the evening with Tobey Lucas, a singer with the spirit of Nashville, but made in Switzerland. This Zurich-based artist skillfully blends modern music with the classic sounds of country, folk, and rock.
2023
The big news this year is the rental of a large tent, which will allow us to guarantee a wonderful day even in case of bad weather.
Meanwhile, Cris Mantello, a Swiss singer, opened the program, followed by Acusticom, also a Swiss band active in the Ticino region. Returning to our stage Silverado New Country Band, who already performed here in 2014. This Italian band, known for its authentic made-in-USA sound, captivates audiences with a compelling mix of guitars, double bass, violin, mandolin, and percussion. The interplay between music and dance, combined with the folkloric atmosphere typical of the Southern United States, makes each of their performances unique and engaging.
With their high-energy country and bluegrass style, the Silverado New Country Band have managed to establish themselves not only throughout Europe but also in the United States, earning great appreciation from audiences. To close the evening, the delighted Croak Band, another Swiss group composed of five members.
2024
Faced with the great and consistent success enjoyed by line dancers, in 2024 we introduced a Country Line Dance Workshop in collaboration with Country Smile, Boots on Cowgirls, and Country Street Dancers, all taking place on a particularly sunny and very hot day.
This musical day began at 12:00 with the first band, The Old Trails, a group from Milan. They were followed by the Mismountain Boys, an Italian band entirely dedicated to country and bluegrass, who had already been guests at our festival in 2016.
Next on stage was Luca Olivieri, a singer with rock and country influences who has a musical career spanning over 40 years. His passion for music began at the age of just 8.
Closing the evening were The Castrol Brothers, a very young Italian band formed in 2023 and composed of five young musicians, releasing their first single in 2025.
2025
The festival celebrated its 20th edition, blessed with sunshine from the early hours of the day. Activities began at noon with a Country Line Dance Workshop organized with Country Smile and Country Street Dancers.
The afternoon featured spectacular chainsaw wood-carving demonstrations and entertainment for children by Magician Mattia.
The musical programme began at 5:00 p.m. with Anton O’Donell from Scotland, singer, Song writer Folk followed by Italy’s All’Aboard String Band. The audience then crossed continents musically with Doug Adkins & Band from the United States. A country singer-songwriter from Montana, Doug Adkins has more than 30 years of international touring experience and has written and composed over 250 songs.
The evening concluded with The Rubbernecks, a Swiss band that had already appeared at the festival in 2010. Their countrybilly music and infectious enthusiasm once again won over the audience.
2026
Meanwhile, Carmen Gianettoni and her collaborators are preparing the next edition. As always, the goal is to offer visitors an enjoyable day filled with music and the unique atmosphere of country culture.
