Momentum is building for the sixth annual Vermont Music Fest which takes place rain or shine at Lareau Farm, home of American Flatbread, on Saturday, August 8, from noon to 10 p.m. To see the full schedule, purchase tickets (kids 12 and under get in free) or volunteer go to www.vtmusicfest.com.
Who knew there were so many professional musicians in the Mad River Valley? One of the 10 bands playing at Lareau Farm for the fest is The Bad Sky. They take the main stage from 7 to 8 p.m. and are a Vermont-based soul-jazz-funk quartet. Founded in 2014 by local residents, saxophonist Chris Lee Womack and bassist Eric Lindberg, the band has quickly become a local favorite and the word is spreading fast. Collectively, the members of The Bad Sky have played and toured with hundreds of acts including Grammy Award-winning artists, blues and rock legends, and scores of other popular bands around the country. They are currently working on their first studio album.
"We are super excited to be playing at the Vermont Music Fest this year! We all play in several bands and we don't get to come together as The Bad Sky as much as we'd like, so when we do, and it's such a cool event like the Vermont Music Fest, it's a double bonus. We love the Mad River Valley. We live, work and play here and we can't wait to share our music with everyone," said Chris Womack.
In addition to great music there will be a wide variety of food vendors serving up fresh food throughout the day and evening: American Flatbread, Lickskillet, Maple Harvest Specialties Cotton Candy and Popcorn, Mix Cupcakerie, Phantom food truck and Vermont Yak Company. On the beverage side of the house there is Long Trail, Spindrift and, of course, Noah's Fizzy Lemonade, an 11-year-old entrepreneur growing his business. Picnics are allowed, but no alcohol can be brought in (beer, wine and hard cider available for purchase on site).
"Thanks to the startup energy of Kelly and Jeff Mack, the support of the Rotary Club, and the commitment of dozens of volunteers, the Vermont Music Fest is a pinnacle summer community event and as a musician and a food'repreneur, I and our YakItToMe mobile barbecue wagon team are excited to be involved again this year," said Waitsfield's Rob Williams.
The early bird discount goes until August 1. Visit www.vtmusicfest.com, Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Mad River Distillers, The Warren Store or the Rotary booth at the Waitsfield Farmers' Market to purchase tickets. Check out the website for a full list of all the kids' activities and other happenings within Vermont Music Fest.
