It's the first day of the festival, Wednesday June 26th. I had crazy weather for my walk. It was 73° at 7am, almost 10° warmer than yesterday! It's my 178th walk of 2024. I enjoyed my walk around the Grange Park and listening to a little pickin' goin' on at this hour.
We enjoyed a late breakfast at Earlystown Diner. We stopped her for lunch when we did our dry run to see the Grange grounds a few weeks back. The lunch was delicious, so I am sure breakfast will be just as good!
The place was packed, which I love to see for a hometown family owned place! Charlie had eggs, bacon and taters. I had the Veggie Mess. It was unique that my mug was from a business in Buffalo NY!
The opening band of the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival was the Alex Leach Band. Alex is not only a musician, but he is also a bluegrass DJ on Knoxville radio station WDVX. He has been a DJ on this station since he was 6 years old! He played with the Larry Gillis Band and Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys. In 2019, he formed the Alex Leach Band.
The 2nd act today at the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival was The Baker Family. They are from central Missouri. We saw them at The Malpass Brothers Bluegrass Festival in Denton NC. They were on Season 12 of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT! They are a very talented family! All the kids are under 25. You can tell, because Tristen can climb the bass!
The 3rd act on day one of the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival was The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band. They are a tribute to one of the most influential bands in bluegrass history. I was astounded at hearing what I thought we would never hear again. This group continues to put their heart and soul into each performance. All three bands play again, starting at 7pm. So far, the rain has missed us!
We have a beautiful perch on the hillside. It provides us some shade and a good view and the sound is excellent.
Unpredictable weather in Pennsylvania at the base of this mountain. It was 63° at 7am, almost 10° cooler than yesterday, but I am not complaining! It's Thursday, June 27th and it's my 179th walk of 2024. I talk about being at the base of the mountain. Centre Hall is located on the east side of Mount Nittany.
Mount Nittany is probably Centre County’s most famous geographical feature. A ridge named Nittany Mountain first appeared on William Scull’s map of colonial Pennsylvania in 1770. However, the name was already known to the surveyors who ventured into this frontier area to establish boundaries when Pennsylvania was buying land from the Iroquois Indians in the 1750s. It is thought that “Nittany” derives from a Native American place name — Nekti-Attin. The most accepted translation is “single mountain.” Whether it is of Shawnee, Iroquois, or Lenape (Delaware) origins is unclear.
The first band of the day today at Remington Ryde Bluegrass Fest, after the open mics was Corey Zink. His band can be counted on for powerful musicianship combined with Zink’s smooth lead baritone vocal, which sounds just as much at home with a driving bluegrass tune as it does a tear-filled country weeper. I believe his son or nephew was on bass today!
The 2nd set for today was Edgar Loudermilk. We saw them at the Brantling Bluegrass Festival several years ago. Edgar is a bluegrass musician who spent years backing up several artists before moving up to lead his own group. Loudermilk first revealed his talent as a bassist working with Rhonda Vincent, Full Circle, and IIIrd Tyme Out, but with his solo debut, 2011's Roads Travelled, he made clear he was also a skilled songwriter who worked well in the classic bluegrass sounds. Their bus broke down in Arizona and they flew in from Vegas! Little Roy & Lizzie lent them instruments for their set!
The 3rd act at the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival was the award-winning Larry Stephenson Band. They have been entertaining audiences for 30 years. The group is led by Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame member and 5-time SPBGMA Male Vocalist of the year. With numerous IBMA and SPBGMA nominations and awards, Larry records on his own label, Whysper Records. We have chairs in the sun, close to the stage, but prefer our perch on the hill!
The 4th act of day one of The Remington Ryde Bluegrass Fest was Little Roy & Lizzie. They offer the best of bluegrass, gospel and old time music. For 70 something, Roy sure can play the banjo and entertain! They were kind enough to lend their instruments to the Edgar Loudermilk band, as they had bus trouble and had to fly in!
2nd set for the Cory Zink Band on Thursday at 2024 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival. His 15-year old son Mason, is on the bass! We love the Florida styled shirts for their second set! We have an unobstructed view and it's plenty loud up here!
2nd set for the Edgar Loudermilk band at the 2024 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival. The sun went down on the Larry Stephenson Band's 2nd set at the 2024 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival. We enjoyed Little Roy & Lizzie's 2nd set at the 2024 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival.
The last band tonight was Charlie's favorite, The Malpass Brothers. They are only playing one set! We were just at their festival in Denton NC. They are not bluegrass, more old country. Still they are very good! But they started at 10 pm and it's darn cold out now!
Today is Friday June 28th and I completed my daily walk around the fairgrounds. Ever changing weather, it was 56° at 8 am, even cooler than yesterday, but it warmed up quickly on my walk. It's Friday, my 180th walk of 2024.
Also today is the day that Centre Hall hosts its Town Wide Yard Sale Days event. There are yard and garage sales lining Pennsylvania Avenue from Old Fort to the foot of the mountain. We had a front row seat, as our RV faced Pennsylvania Avenue, behind the Grange Park fence. Many residential side streets and even some alleys were crowded with shoppers. The event began when several local business owners formed the Centre Hall Business Owners Association in 1980 and decided to hold a community-wide yard sale. The first was held in 1981, and since then it has grown steadily in size and popularity. Now, it is estimated that nearly 200 sales are happening in the borough and surrounding area simultaneously, turning Centre Hall into a bargain hunter’s paradise.
We noticed the preparations for the sales beginning the weekend before the event. As we arrived at the Bluegrass festival on June 22nd, we saw canopies and folding tables going up around the town.
The sales have become family traditions for many in Centre Hall. People who grew up in the town come back to the family home with loads of items to sell. The event has become large enough to attract outside food vendors. Several food trailers were set up along Pennsylvania Avenue, filling the air with the delicious aromas. Churches in town also get in on the act, turning front lawns into roadside cafes, serving sandwiches, soft drinks and ice cream to raise money for various charity and mission projects. Local businesses also benefit from the population boom.
We enjoyed watching the shoppers come and go. The Amish even hired drivers with trailers to carry their treasures back to the farms.
We noticed many brightly colored tops on the Amish ladies and wondered why. When most people think of the Amish, they think of stern and somber people dressed primarily in black and white. But that is absolutely not the case. Amish communities have a lot of latitude and variety in colors. And, really, the vast majority of color choices aren't dictated by theology but by tradition.
Most Amish women are required to wear full sleeves and calf-length dresses, with plain fabrics made from one solid color. Color plays an important part in an Amish woman's wardrobe. Young boys and girls usually wear lighter colors than adults, and begin wearing darker colors as they get older. In some communities you will see brighter colors in women’s or girls’ dresses – yellows, pinks and even shades of red. In others, dark browns, dark greens, purples, and blues are the firm standard.
Lavenders, purples, darker greens, mint greens, mauves, pinks, some yellows, white, black and beige are all colors that could be used in everyday dresses. Depending on the conservative nature of the Amish community, some colors acceptable in one community aren't acceptable in another. Black and White that's not a color you see Amish people wearing everyday, usually that is reserved for church Sundays or special occasions.
We also saw a group of Amish ladies that were barefoot. Yes, barefoot, walking on the road! I researched and learned that going without shoes has an even deeper, more spiritual significance for the Amish. It sets them apart from the vanity of this world and encourages the modesty called for in the scriptures. The Amish believe that going barefoot keeps them closer to the earth and nature, and therefore keeps them closer to God.
The first act of Friday 6/28 at the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival is Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers! We were able to see one act, before we met friends from Florida at Duffy's Tavern for lunch! Larry and his wife Lisa are the hosts of this awesome festival!!! If you are nearby you should come! Even if you are far away, camping is great!
We had a nice lunch today with Bill & Dee Hull at Boalsburg Duffy's Tavern. It was a nice surprise when she said they would be in the area on Friday! We sat on the patio so Charlie could enjoy our time together!
We missed the 1st set of 2 bands, to enjoy lunch with friends in Boalsburg. The 4th band was Junior Sisk and his band, Red Camel Collective. Junior Sisk’s band is Heather Berry Mabe on guitar, Tony Mabe on banjo, Jonathan Dillon on mandolin, and Curt Love on bass. The band pays tribute to the man who brought them together with their name, taken from Junior’s song, The Man in Red Camels. It was a great set!
The 5th band up today at the 2024 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival was The Lonesome River Band. Since its formation decades ago, Lonesome River Band continues its reputation as one of the most respected names in bluegrass music. Their 1st set today did not disappoint!
After the dinner break, we enjoyed extended sets by Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Followed by Danny Paisley and then Junior Sisk and the Red Camel Collective. Another solid set of awesome bluegrass! We still love our seats on the hill!
On Saturday June 29th, it was calm before the storm, it was 66° at 7am. It's my 181st walk of 2024 and the last day of the Bluegrass Festival. It's the best line-up and the worst weather forecast!
There was a great Kids Program at noon. These are the future stars of bluegrass!
Mother Nature is not on our side today. Remington Ryde is on the stage now. This is how they look from where we sit and from up close!
Remington Ryde is a well-known name in the bluegrass community.
The band, which originated from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, is loved for its lively performances and authentic sound. Remington Ryde is a true testament to the enduring appeal of bluegrass music. The was founded by Ryan Frankhouser at 16. Ryan’s dedication to bluegrass and his talent as a songwriter and musician helped the band rise from local stages to national acclaim.
The 2nd act up today was The Feinberg Brothers, from Long Island, New York. The band features brothers Rourke and Patrick, along with their father and longtime bluegrass musician, Ronnie Feinberg. The brothers Rourke are among the top young bluegrass artists in the NE States. By blending their bluegrass roots with a classical training background, they have delighted audiences with their tight, soulful harmonies and masterful fiddle, mandolin, and guitar playing.
Back for another set today, Saturday 6/29, was Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Mother Nature gave them a break as they pushed quickly through their set! We can see the sunshine!!!
The 4th act was Gail Towle & Pat Stevens favorite, Nothin’ Fancy. 2024 marks their 30th year! They formed as a bluegrass band in 1994 to compete in a bluegrass competition. Since then, they have released 11 full length albums, and continue to perform at festivals across the US and internationally. They host their own Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival every year since 2001 in Buena Vista, VA. The band is known for their smooth vocal blends, stirring performances, and irrepressible humor.
We took what they thought was going to be a 15-minute break for a passing line of storms. The winds were gusting over 40 mph and the break lasted for 2-hours. We got into the car, just in the knick of time!
After the thunderstorm, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage took the stage at the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Fest! She began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family's band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. Rhonda has had deals with Rebel Records, Giant, and Rounder Records. Her band, The Rage helps her with hard-driving, high-energy contemporary bluegrass. Rhonda Vincent's daughter, Sally is the guitarist and lead vocalist with US Navy Band Country Current. She joined her mother on stage, with Rhonda's granddaughter, Faye Monroe.
The Feinberg Brothers, Remington Ryde, Larry Efaw & The Bluegrass Mountaineers, Nothin' Fancy and Rhonda Vincent and The Rage all played a second set. The rain was on and off, so Charlie and I went from our seats, to the car, back to our sets. So, pictures were not easy to get!
Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment