This premier bluegrass music festival commemorates the legacy of Joe Val -who is arguably one of the finest bluegrass musicians to emerge from New England. In 2006, the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival received the “Event of the Year” award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Tickets
Early Bird tickets are now on sale.  Click here to order yours

Festival Lineup
Here is a tentative lineup for the 25th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival.

1. Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
2. JD Crowe and the New South
3. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
4. Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass
5. Special Consensus
6. The Josh Williams Band
7. Buddy Merriam and Back Roads
8. The Spinney Brothers
9. While Mountain Bluegrass
10. Acoustic Blue
11. Joe Sings Joe
12. Berklee Bluegrass
13. Bluegrass Gospel Project
14. Sierra Hull and Highway 111

Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide wrote:

Singer/songwriter Joe Val was a prominent traditional bluegrass musician and leader of the New England Bluegrass Boys. A native of Everett, Massachusetts, he was born Joseph Valiante, and his interest in bluegrass started in his early teens. He was influenced by fiddler Tex Logan, who had come north to study at M.I.T. and wound up giving the young performer his stage name. Val started out as a guitar player, but also mastered the banjo and the mandolin. He got his professional start playing with the Radio Rangers, and later joined the Berkshire Mountain Boys; with the progressive Charles River Valley Boys, Val recorded a distinguished album of bluegrass-adapted Beatles songs in 1967. Although Val played with progressive groups, he himself continued to favor a more traditional bluegrass sound; to this end, he founded the New England Bluegrass Boys in 1970 with guitarist Herb Applin, banjo player Bob French and bass player Bob Tidwell. The following year, they made their debut album. Although the group underwent many personnel changes over the next decade, Val was able to produce a remarkably consistent sound over the course of numerous albums. Sadly, Joe Val was stricken with cancer in the 1980s just as his band was beginning to achieve wider recognition; his last performance was in late 1984, and he died on June 11, 1985.

The Goodtimers will start things off at 7pm at the TD Bank Venue (191 Main Street, Nashua).  Amy and the Rascals will follow with at set at 8:30pm. We hope to see you there!

2008 Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll – The best video clips are right here

Lake Street Garden Center is celebrating their second Fall Festival, Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. This event is open to the public, rain or shine, with free concerts, food, animals, pony rides, face painting & games for kids. There will be free gardening demos in the mornings, fantastic specials across the garden center, and a raffle each day.

On Sunday, September 13th,  the ‘Goodtime  Stringband’ from Massachusetts will be back by popular demand for their second year from 11am-2pm.  This highly talented bluegrass band will get toes tapping and hearts singing with music & stories. Also from 11-2, the Carriage Shack Farm in Londonderry,NH will bring their Petting Farm of small animals to meet children of all ages.

There will be two free demonstrations on Perennial Gardening offered both days at 9:30 & 10:30am. Saturday’s topic is Dividing & Planting Perennials. Sunday’s topic is Cutting Back Perennials & Shrubs. No registration is needed for these demos.

Both days there will be facepainting and fun games for kids. These fall-themed games will include: Sunflower Toss, Pumpkin Ring Toss and Water Golf!
The Festival hours are from 8am to 5pm. Some of the biggest Sales of the year will be offered throughout the Garden Center and drawings for various plants and prizes. For more information, feel free to call the Garden Center at 603-893-5858.

[Printable Fall Festival Schedule]

Address:

Lake Street Garden Center 37 Lake Street Salem, NH 03079 (603) 893-5858

Replacing old man Rich Hamilton on the fiddle are Alice Malone and Michelle Lambert. Good luck in your musical endeavors Rich!

Raven Hill Orchard (Certified Organic)
255 Ossipee Hill Rd.
E. Waterboro, ME 04030
(207)247-4455

The event will occur this Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) from 9am-6pm. The Goodtime Stringband will be providing fun live music from noon-3pm on Monday.

There will be Face Painting, Pony Rides, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
and Nature Talks. Not to mention Raven Hill Orchard Treats! Including pumpkin chip cookies, whoopie pies, smoothies, Raven Hill Freshly Roasted Coffee, frozen lattes, hot dogs, cider donuts and apple cider (hot or cold)!

The Orchard is 35 Minutes from Portland and Kennebunkport in a beautiful country setting. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and have a picnic among the blossoms!

For more information visit www.ravenhillorchard.com
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