Acoustic Festival coming in October

FARMINGTON — This year’s Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Winding Trails in Farmington. Now in its third year, this oneday only festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be music on two stages as well as a song contest. The festival will feature local and nationally touring acts from acoustic-based genres including bluegrass, indie folk, a cappella, singersongwriter, blues, and more. Advance discount tickets ($5-$10) are available for this special event at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling Winding Trails at 860677-8458.

The 2018 lineup includes The Hot Flashes, Belle of the Fall, The Wool Hats String Band, Brian Dolzani, Pat Stone and The Dirty Boots, Peter Lehndorff, Coffee Grinders, Sweetest Key, Eric Paradine, The Bombay Oysters, Horizon Blue, Krista Johnson and Blackberry Jam. The performances will be held in the rustic lakeside log cabin, “Nature’s Porch,” and in the outdoor amphitheater, surrounded by picturesque fall foliage. The outdoor stage moves to an indoor lodge in the event of rain.

Headlining the festival are The Hot Flashes, an exciting and eclectic group fronted by three female vocalists who have made a name for themselves on the New England music scene with their tight vocal harmonies and jazzy acoustic stylings. The Hot Flashes are Amy Gallatin, who is known for her expressive, soulful singing, award-winning singersongwriter/guitarist Gail Wade, and multi-instrumentalist Peggy Harvey, founding member of the legendary bluegrass group Traver Hollow. Their tunes are drawn from the bluegrass, folk, swing, jazz, and blues genres, with a few cowgirl and traditional tunes in the mix. Backed by the solid chops of mandolinist JD Williams, Dobro veteran Roger Williams, and bassist John Urbanik. Together these six veteran musicians meld their collective experiences, voices and instruments into a unique and rousing musical experience.

Food and refreshments will be available for sale or bring your own. Local breweries will be on hand with free samples. This is a rain or shine event. Advance discount tickets are $10 adults, $5 children ages 3-15. Tickets purchased at the gate will be $15 adults and $8 children. Tickets are available now at https://acousticfest.brownpapertickets.com/ or by calling 860-677-8458. More information can be found at www.windingtrails.org.