Fireside at Greenway Farm kicks off with Von Wamps

The Von Wamps, a genre- crossing music venture anchored by Lou, Lynn and Daniel Wamp, will offer the f irst in a series of outdoor concerts each Thursday in October.

Fireside at Greenway Farm gathers participants around a campfire at dusk to hear music by local bands the first three weeks. A storyteller who wrote the book “Spooky-nooga” is scheduled for the final performance just before Halloween.

Participants are invited to bring blankets and chairs for seating, marshmallow roasting sticks or even picnic suppers. The rustic setting is behind the gardens at the Sniteman Log Cabin on the 180-acre city park in Hixson.

Before the concerts start at 7 p. m., participants can take a selfpaced, calm-water paddle on North Chickamauga Creek. One of the park’s three canoe launches is j ust behind Sniteman Cabin. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide all the equipment and support staff, although children under 30 pounds should bring their own life jacket. Canoes are available from 5 to 6:30 p.m., first-come, first- served, at a cost of $25 per canoe.

The Von Wamps add their acoustic flair on guitar, mandolin, Dobro and upright bass for an eclectic and high-spirited mix of their own compositions and covers ranging from folk, swing and jazz to country, rock and bluegrass. The non Wamp is Bob Stagner on drums/ percussion.

Still to come in the series are Americana band Caney Creek Company on Oct. 13, old- time music makers Tin Cup Rattlers on Oct. 20 and master storyteller Vincent Ivan Phipps on Oct. 27.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Fireside at Greenway Farms, a series of outdoor concerts each Thursday in October, takes place in the rustic setting of Sniteman Log Cabin.