Submitted Article/Photos by Rick Hiduk
Do you support local artists, local music, and local farms? If yes, be sure to “head for the hills” on Saturday, Sept. 16 to enjoy the exciting annual festival that celebrates and supports all three!
Created last year by the Kitson Arts Alliance to raise funds to support the organization’s important programs, the Farmstead Art & Music Festival will return to the Carlin Farm in Auburn Township (3064 State Route 3005, Meshoppen, PA 18630) from noon to 6 pm.
A sustainable century family farm established in 1903, the Carlin Farm is home to the popular 4 Seasons Farm Market.
The festival’s Kitson Gallery Art Tent will feature a variety of art, antiques & collectibles; the Kitson Arts Alliance’s festival office; and the Farmstead raffle – with dozens of great prizes to be won. (The raffle prize drawing will begin at 3:30 pm; participants must be present to win.)
In addition, several local visual artists and artisans will be displaying their work – among them, Ana Belen Rodriguez; Calliope Creations by Brian Antosh; Catrina King; Chris Lathrop; Cottage Crafters; The Creative Cave by Tim Blood; D. Lee; Dale & Judy Kingston; Erika Gibson-Bertram (below); The Farm at Johnson Pond; Frank Wengen; Frayed by Chance; Jayne’s Paper Crafts & Photographs; Old World Fan Birds; and Sadie Allen.
The Carlin Farm Stage, hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Rick Hiduk, will be offering a full schedule of local performers throughout the afternoon, among them, Bob Zamber (at noon); the LondonForce Duo (below) featuring Angelo Maruzzelli & Shannon Walling (1:15 pm); JT Maxwell (2:30 pm); and Gary Carl (5 pm).
At the Zieger Family Stage, Tim & Abi Zieger of Zieger Family Music will perform traditional songs, present interactive children’s music, games, and sing-alongs (below) and invite other performers to entertain and other musicians (such as members of the popular Airport Pickers) to join in and jam. Instruments are welcome!
Be sure to come hungry, so you can enjoy delicious foods available for purchase all day at such food stands as Haymakers Grill and Traver Family Chicken BBQ.
In addition to these, specialty food booths located throughout the festival grounds will include the 4 Seasons Farm Market (produce, meats, snacks & beverages at the Carlin’s popular on-site farm store); Cheri Pollock’s Snow Cones & Cotton Candy; Lori’s Country Delights (jams, jellies, salsas, mustards); Pittston Popcorn Co. (over 60 flavors of popcorn, over 20 flavors of homemade fudge, plus handmade chocolates & hard candy lollipops); and Worldling’s Pleasure (gourmet cheese dips & spreads; and artisan baked goods).
Throughout the festival, children of all ages will enjoy scenic hayrides presented by Carlin Farm (just $3 per person; reserve space in advance by calling 570-833-4592); bounce houses by Bounce Party Rentals; games; alpacas; and more.
Rounding out the fun will be such vendor booths as Bath Fitter; Bendolynn Woods Alpacas; Concrete Thinking; author Deborah L. Courville; Jessica R. Warner’s Place of Well Being; LuLaRoe with Katie Wisnosky; Mike Houser Antiques; Nicole Lewis; Pearl Street Soap Company; SCOFF Outdoor Cooking; Strong House Creations; Susquehanna County Farm Bureau; Trudy Berg; Young Living Essential Oils; and Zieger Family Music.
Kitson Arts Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit, collaborative effort created to celebrate & support Art (local visual & performing artists), Antiques (local antiques & collectibles businesses & dealers), and Agriculture (local farms, farm markets & culinary artists) throughout Eastern PA.
In addition to its Farmstead Art & Music Festival, on-going Kitson Arts Alliance programs include Local Art on Display, Firelight Music Jams, and the seasonal North Branch Artisans Tours.