On June 14-17th, the devoted RV and trailer set dutifully set up camp at the G.D.S. FAIRGROUNDS in tranquil little town of Newfoundland, Pa, for the 11th Annual Pocono Bluessgrass Festival, hosted by the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys. The mostly geriatric group were still hooting, hollering, and enthusiastic, when we arrived for the last three bands on Sunday afternoon. One, the much touted James King Band, was running late, the Mill Creek Boys (including a very female, blonde, banjo player-see photo) and the Cabin Fever Band (close harmonies and a gospel set in the morning) had to play double-duty until James King finally took the stage for the last 1 1/2 hours of the festival.
Having attended Stevie Nicks at Jones Beach earlier in the week, and then the Neville Brothers in Prospect Park (with the bennies of sponsor seats from relatives), I found the low-key, low-budget, bring-your-own seating, drinks and grub a refreshing change, actually. The “shed” offered some shelter from rain and sun, and a sawdust floor. There was a 4-H stand selling ice cream and milshakes, a coffee wagon, a hot dog/hamburger wagon, and a few vendors selling “biker” duds, skull and crystals, knockoff “cowboy” hats and handbags, and little “crafty” gifts. But for just $35.00 for the entire weekend, a family could park their van or RV, and listen to bluegrass music until the sun had set. Here’s the lineup.
THURSDAY
6:00 – Heavy Traffic
6:45 – Lost Ramblers
7:30 – Fiddle Contest
9:05 – Heavy Traffic
9:45 – Blue Ridge Mountain Boys
FRIDAY
12:00 – Lost Ramblers
1:00 – Like Father Like Son
2:00 – Chester Johnson & the Foggy Mountain Boys
3:00 – Lykens Valley Bluegrass Boys
4:00 – Heavy Traffic
5:00 – Like Father Like Son
6:00 – Mark Miklos & the Raritan Valley Ramblers
7:00 – Lykens Valley Bluegrass Boys
8:00 – Chester Johnson & the Foggy Mountain Boys
9:00 – Blue Ridge Mountain Boys
SATURDAY
12:00 – Jam Contest Winners
1:00 – Cabin Fever Band
2:00 – Mill Creek Boys
3:00 – Lost Ramblers
4:00 – Louie Setzer & the Appalachian Mtn Boys
5:00 – Blue Ridge Mountain Boys
6:00 – Chester Johnson & the Foggy Mountain Boys
7:00 – Mark Miklos & the Raritan Valley Ramblers
8:00 – Louie Setzer & the Appalachian Mtn Boys
9:00 – Like Father Like Son
SUNDAY
10:00 – Mill Creek Boys
10:50 – Cabin Fever Band
11:40 – James King Band
12:30 – Mill Creek Boys
1:20 – Cabin Fever Band
2:05 – James King Band
There were plenty of festival-goers carrying guitars, mandolins, and banjos. There was a fiddle contest. The live bands hailed from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Oklahoma. Even if you’re not a real fan of roots music, there’s something about the sound of the close harmonies and toe-tapping rhythms that makes you pay attention. The themes of loss, heartbreak, and poverty are not cheery, but the songs still make you smile. The older folks were yelling out requests (eg. “The Bed By The Window”) and the few little kids in evidence were running around chasing insects. All in all, it was a most pleasant way to spend a few hours, or an entire weekend.