THE FRIENDS OF HARMONY ARE GOING ALL OUT THIS YEAR TO hold a grand bluegrass festival on the Great Lawn. After a year of quiet due to Covid-19, the Highlands Bluegrass Festival marks a return to form for the historical non-profit. With Rockland County Tourism grant in hand, Harmony Hall is set to throw a big open-air party this Sunday, September 12, from 1-5PM.
It seems like a lot has changed in the world and our little village at the foot of the Ramapo Mountains since last we’ve had a normal, big community get together. The Bluegrass Festival is a time to celebrate the community and our patch of Mayberry — celebrate all the many helping hands out there who have helped keep it together and mark start of the fall season. Celebrate Sloatsburg and The Friends of Harmony Hall, who have worked to make this festival happen.
Look for the Eugene Tyler Band to be in fine form when it kicks off its set to open the all day event. Back in 2019, the band took to the stage and delivered a high-energy, blistering set that announced their arrival as a dynamic trio that can rock a country cover and play catchy original material.
The Blue Plate Special Band also returns to the Highlands stage, with a group of great musicians that includes accordion, mandolin, big upright bass and Jay Friedman’s beautiful vocals. Blue Plate digs deep into the roots and bluegrass catalogue.
New to the Highland’s big stage this year will be a special treat – Cole Quest & The City Pickers from New York City. Cole is Woody Guthrie’s grandson and leads the group with his amazing square neck slide guitar (which he slings over his shoulder to drive home that good roots acoustic music.)
One of the nice things about the Mermaid Avenue project has been the way the songs we recorded have entered Woody Guthrie's canon. Here's his grandson Cole Quest taking us Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key https://t.co/OE0GipqQlL
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) March 9, 2021
The Highlands Bluegrass Festival has a $10 ticket price that helps pay for the many costs associated with putting on the event. There’s no charge for kids under 10 years of age. Donations also help with the restoration of Harmony Hall.
This year’s festival includes food, beverages, arts & crafts for kids, hand craft items for sale, and a beer garden!
Bottom line for this year’s Highland’s Bluegrass Festival is that you are in for a homegrown treat. Get a chair and get there.
The Annual Highlands Bluegrass Festival is sponsored by Rockland County Tourism and the Town of Ramapo. Harmony Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located between Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks in the surrounding Ramapo Mountains.
An afternoon crowd on the Great Lawn at Harmony Hall in Sloatsburg, NY, during the Highlands Bluegrass Festival. Sunday, September 12, from 1 to 5PM.
