COURTESY
BELLOWS FALLS — Roots on the River Festival, produced by Vermont Festivals LLC, will celebrate its 19th year at 3 p.m. Friday, June 8, when the gates open on a full weekend of music.
“It’s an enviable record for any all-volunteer event,” said Ray Massucco, promoter, according to a press release.
The festival has announced that this year’s nonprofit beneficiary of the festival will be the Bellows Falls Fire Department, members of which will also be volunteering throughout the weekend.
“We are proud to recognize the department for its contribution in keeping our village safe,” Massucco said.
The festival will once again welcome fan favorites, as well as first-time appearances, to the stage. This year VTF is will have veteran festival artists Mary Gauthier, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, and The Black Lillies as returning headliners.
“Each artist attracts their own dedicated following and we are expecting record turnouts on all three days,” Massucco said.
Mary Gauthier’s “Rifles & Rosary Beads” was nominated as record of the year by the Americana Music Association.
“That is a huge honor and recognition of Mary’s groundbreaking collaboration with wounded veterans to create an entire album of their songs,” Massucco said.
Part of the mission statement of VTF is to introduce the festival’s fans to new artists, along with local and regional artists who we feel deserve a wider audience than they might otherwise reach.
Among regional artists in this year’s lineup are Miss Guided Angels, Bayou X, Low Lily, along with Vermont’s own Starline Rhythm Boys celebrating their 20th anniversary.
Coming up from a little further out are Julie Rhodes, Hayley Reardon, Alice Howe, and The End of America.
Seasoned artists, Roger Marin, Nora Jane Struthers, Freebo and Vance Gilbert, from Los Angeles to Ontario and beyond, will round out the weekend.
Friday and Saturday shows will be located at the Rodeway Inn on Route 5 in Rockingham. The Sunday show will be held at the Rockingham Meeting House. This show always sells out early, so visitors are encouraged to get tickets as soon as possible.
As always, parking will be plentiful and free. Children and pets (at the Rodeway) are welcome at the smoke free, family friendly festival. Children 9 and younger can attend free with an adult; youth 10 – 16 can attend for $10 at the gate for any show. Saturday will feature a Youth Tent from noon to 6 p.m., so parents can enjoy the music while children are entertained and well supervised.
Day, weekend, and deluxe tickets are available, from $35 to $145 in advance at www.rootsontheriver.com. Deluxe ticket holders have a reserved seat under the big tent.
In addition to guaranteed seating, deluxe ticketholders get early admission to the shows, a catered hospitality tent on Friday to meet and greet with artists, souvenirs, and reserved parking.
The weekend festivities will include pre-festival open mic shows Thursday at 7 p.m. at PK’s Pub, and Friday at noon at the Flat Iron Exchange on the Square.
Seating under the big tent at the Rodeway Inn is on a first-come, first-served basis, but blankets and lawn chair are always welcome. Local food and beverage vendors will be onsite.
For more information and the complete schedule, visit www.rootsontheriver.com, or call 802-460-3333.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.