Wintergrass in Bellevue? Say it ain’t so. The popular bluegrass festival has taken place in Tacoma each February for the last 16 years. Hotel Murano, formerly the Sheraton, has been the headquarters for the event and many of the attendees who travel from around the country stay there.

The Hyatt Regency in Bellevue has made a pitch to organizers to move the event. Tacoma City Council members were briefed during a meeting this week.

The city’s Community and Economic Development Department is reaching out to Wintergrass organizers to keep the event here. Several council members praised the event for the bustling vibe it brings to downtown.

The Hyatt is offering lower room rates and could offer the room to hold the festival in one location. One interesting feature of Wintergrass is that it takes places in the Murano and several other venues within walking distance. Spending four days within the hallways and banquet rooms of a hotel in Bellevue cannot match that for excitement, but it apparently can beat it on cost. Staging Wintergrass in several venues adds to price tag.

Perhaps the down-home sounds of bluegrass are no longer a good match for the upscale, glass art atmosphere of Hotel Murano. We think bluegrass and glass make a striking yet interesting combination. Let’s hope something can be worked out to keep Wintergrass in Tacoma.