Ypsitucky Name Blame

Organizers of a new bluegrass festival scheduled for Sept. 4-5 in Ypsilanti, Mich., have reportedly been warned that the city could scuttle the event because its title is considered derogatory.

The Ypsitucky Jamboree, organized by the Depot Town Community Development Corp., has been under fire since March because adding “tucky” to the city’s name has historically referred to people from Kentucky and other Southern states that migrated to the area to work in the auto plants during and after World War II. To some, it’s a negative stereotype they don’t want associated with the city.

If organizers stick with the name, city officials reportedly will follow through on a 45-day cancellation notice of its contract with the DTCDC to manage Riverside Park, where the festival is to be held, according to the Ann Arbor News.

DTCDC Executive Director Erik Dotzauer previously told the paper the Ypsitucky name was chosen as a way to educate people on the term’s history and dispel its negative connotation.

Despite the uproar, organizers notified the city council June 2 that the Ypsitucky Jamboree name won’t be changed at least for this year, the News said.