If the grounds of the Altamont Fairgrounds could talk, it would spin a yarn of tales about old-time baseball games, automobile exhibitions and the countless of summer romances that blossomed under the carnival lights.
The Old Songs Festival kicks off this Friday, with a number of different performers spinning some yarn of their own, giving music lovers a taste of folk, traditional, Celtic, world music and dance.
Headliners include Brother Sun, Ellis, Runa, April Verch, Ken Whiteley, Dennise Stroughmatt, Yves Lambert and more, hailing from Appalachia, Ireland, Canada, England, Wales, Scotland and beyond.
Participatory dance stations are dedicated for Contras, English, Irish Set, Cajun and family dances.
In addition to the music, the annual festival boasts 120-daytime workshops given by the performers, and several different craft shows, food and instrument vendors. Music lovers have the opportunity to exchange their personal, unused instruments to purchase a new one at the on-site instrument exchange.
The three-day event prides itself in being a family-friendly activity, complete with a children’s activity area, when the children get over stimulated by the tunes.
Tickets can be purchased on site or through the event’s website at festival.oldsongs.org.
