HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP —
New management will bring some new wrinkles to the annual “Music Along the River” later this month at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark in Harpersfield Township.
When long-time organizer Scott Burgett stepped down, three local men stepped up to keep the event alive. The new coordinators are Joel Specht of Conneaut, Hershel Blevins of Ashtabula and Geneva resident Andrej Debevc.
“We didn’t want it to end,” Specht said of the trio’s involvement. “We had a good time these past five years. It’s a good way to show local and regional musicians.”
The festival, to be held Aug. 25-26, features two days of traditional music, workshops and instruction. The event also gets a boost from the county Metroparks system and Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge, Specht said.
This year, the event will allow camping on site for the musicians in hopes of enticing more performers to attend. Camping will be allowed on the north side of the river with permits, which can be obtained the day of the event.
“We’re getting people from Pennsylvania, Ohio — all over,” Specht said. “(The camping option) makes it better for them.”
The program will showcase bands that specialize in a wide range of styles, including bluegrass, Old Time, Celtic, dulcimer and the sounds of the 1920s and 1930s. It’s all acoustic entertainment — no amplifiers, Specht said.
Food and other concessions will also be available. “Bring your listening ears and dancing feet,” Specht said.
The event will be held 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 26. For more information on the festival, or to sign up as a volunteer, check out facebook.com/MusicAlongTheRiver
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