When measured against the summer festival juggernauts (i.e., Bonnaroo, Lollapolooza, Outside Lands, Austin City Limits), Pickathon may appear unassuming in comparison. But, as William Shakespeare once said: “Though she be but little, she is fierce” (ol’ Bill said that, right?).

For Pickathon, roots music rules all, and the festival planners have picked some truly excellent acts to represent the time-honored genre. More festival details, lineup, and a whole bunch of MP3s after the jump.

The 2009 Pickathon Festival is set to take place July 31st – August 2nd at Pendarvis Farm in Portland, OR (more accurately, on Mt. Scott about 30 minutes outside of Portland). Three days of music will meet up with your classic summer festival package: six stages, camping, food and craft vendors, beer garden, workshops taught by the performing artists, plus a lovely, rustic setting provided by the state of Oregon.

For fans of rootsy, folksy, fingerpickin’ music, the Pickathon lineup will not disappoint. Our favorites include Blitzen Trapper, Dr. Dog, Vetiver, Alela Diane, the Sadies, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Horse Feathers, Justin Townes Earle, Elliott Brood, the Deep Dark Woods, Laura Gibson, Joe Pug, and Breathe Owl Breathe, among many others. The full lineup and additional artist info can be found here.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now: $120 for all three days, $190 for a “Complete Pickers Package” (includes full admission, camping, festival T-shirt, plus other goodies), and single days passes ($70/Friday, $80/Saturday, $70/Sunday). Parking is not included in the above ticket prices, and passes need to be purchased separately ($30/weekend, or $15/single day).

Enjoy this sampling of tunes from the 2009 Pickathon lineup:

MP3s: