Sweetwater Homegrown Songwriterfest

Presented by the Will McLean Foundation and WMNF 88.5 FM Community Conscious Radio, it's Sweetwater Farm's annual music fest with cameos by regional leaders in community gardens, local farms & food forests, in partnership with Homegrown Hillsborough! Early bird ticket price till Oct. 7!

This year we're opening the door to all you Tampa Bay creatives!

• Homegrown Battle of the Bands - apply by Oct. 15!
• Song swap in the barn with experienced writers - bring your song!
• Intimate interviews with New Florida Song 2026 winners
• Local craft and foodie vendors - contact us to participate!

Calling all original music groups -- Participate in the "Homegrown Battle of the Bands" for a cash prize and a feature spot on WMNF 88.5 FM's Live Music Showcase! Finalist groups will perform a 25 minute set of all-original music at the Fest, with the champion to be announced at the end of the evening by the WMNF team. Audience feedback will be considered, so bring your friends!

To apply to perform, send live video of your group playing two complete original songs, along with the lyrics and songwriter credits. Videos do not need to be professionally filmed/produced, and may be sent as links to Youtube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. There is a $10 application fee which includes admission to the fest. Please register by purchasing an Apply to Perform ticket, and follow the instructions you receive by email. Applications are due no later than October 15.

Overnight camping on the farm, in a quiet area a short walk from the fest, is available Saturday night only! Grab your friends and family, dress for the weather, and join us for an evening of music and community at the Farm Aid Tampa Bay Music Fest!

TICKETS

🎟️ $25 advance / $30 day of event/ $20 early bird!

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids under 12 attend free

🐾 Well-behaved leashed dogs welcome

🎟️ SATURDAY NIGHT primitive camping $100 for up to 2 adults + 2 kids (includes event tix)

🎟️ Apply to perform $10

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit farm's organic education programs for schoolkids, apprentice farmers, and all ages. Sweetwater's annual music fest raises awareness of Tampa Bay's community gardening, farming, and local food systems in partnership with Homegrown Hillsborough, a part of UF IFAS Extension Hillsborough County.