Meet Our Project Manager – Jordan Puryear

Jordan Puryear, Musician & Festival Visionary is at the helm –

Jordan has directed more than 80 successful music and dance festivals, starting with the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival more than three decades ago.

His experience includes thirty-one years with the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival in New York, twenty years with the spring and fall Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festivals in North Carolina, and ten years with the Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival in Florida.

As Director and Co-Founder of these festivals, Jordan oversees nearly every aspect of the festivals with a concentration on production and infrastructure.

Out of the box thinking, his lead-by-example style, and calm demeanor are the hallmarks of his leadership that has guided the GrassRoots Festival Organization successfully for more than thirty years.

Jordan was a founding member in the Grassroots Festival’s host band, Donna the Buffalo. He’s also an original and active member of the old-time string band Bubba George, which has opened every Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival since its inception.

He has played the role of Lead Designer and Build Team Coordinator for all of the Grassroots festivals, including stage design and PA systems.

He designs all site plans and supervises the implementation of plans.

Jordan Puryear is known for creating welcoming spaces, supporting music and the arts, and the local communities surrounding his festival sites.

The GrassRoots Festivals have come a long way since their start back in 1990, when the first one began as a benefit show at the NY State Theatre to raise money for the fight against AIDS. The festival organization began the following year, led by the Puryear family.

In addition to the musical performances at GrassRoots Festivals, attendees may also visit art galleries featuring primarily local artists, a healing arts area, to learn about massage, Reiki and other natural healing techniques, a children's area, dance workshops and more.

Jordan enjoys creating welcoming spaces where community members can return to year after year to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate life with music and dance.