BELLOWS FALLS — Music feeds the soul, but this year the Roots on the River Music Festival will help to feed the body as well.
Ray Massucco, Vermont Festivals LLC producer, has announced that this year’s nonprofit partner for the Roots on the River Music Festival is the Vermont Foodbank (www.vtfoodbank.org).
The Vermont Foodbank, through a network of 270 food shelves, meals sites, senior centers, shelters, and after-school programs, runs programs that help feed as many as 86,000 Vermonters in need of food assistance. Its agricultural programs, including a statewide crop gleaning project, help to increase the amount of locally sourced produce.
“The Vermont Foodbank is honored to be this year’s beneficiary of Roots on the River’s generous support,” said Peter Stamm, a member of the board of trustees of the Foodbank. “One strives to nourish the community’s body, the other, its soul.”
In naming his selection, Massucco said he wanted to reach a larger community that would benefit from his annual Roots on the River Festival partnership.
“As a longtime supporter myself, the choice seemed obvious,” Massucco said. “Vermonters have been hit hard by the recession, and the Foodbank is a frontline safety net for thousands of our neighbors on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. We are proud to be affiliated with them.”
Roots on the River Fest June 6-9
Southern Vermont’s premiere music festival will be held this year from June 6-9 at venues throughout the town, and will feature nearly two dozen acts.
This will be the last year perennial headliner Fred Eaglesmith and his Traveling Steam Show will perform at the festival, and an incredible four days of music is planned to honor his sendoff, including performances by Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones, Mary Gauthier, and The Steel Wheels.
The lineup this year begins on Thursday night at 33 Bridge St. with The Cold River Ranters, Sean Rowe, and Girls Guns and Glory.
The music starts at noon in downtown Bellows Falls on Friday with performances sprinkled throughout the Square. Look for Poor Old Shine, Bellows Falls’ own Milkhouse Heaters, After the Rodeo, and Skumm & Oats. The Bellows Falls Farmers’ Market will feature the Heather Maloney Band and Sam Creigh.
The evening will continue under the Big Tent at the Rodeway Inn with performances by Grant Peeples, Shelley King, and Alvin.
Saturday’s exquisite lineup includes The Sea The Sea, Dan Weber, Roger Marin Band, David Wax Museum, Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers, The Steel Wheels, and Carolyn Mark. The evening rounds out with Eaglesmith and his Traveling Steam Show.
The weekend will wind down on Sunday at the Rockingham Meeting House with the ever-popular pairing of Eaglesmith with Mary Gauthier. The two artists have written songs together, and their duets in the old venue are always deeply moving. This show is close to selling out, so act now if you would like to attend.
Following the traditional street hockey game, the Farewell Ball will be held at Café Loco with the Ray Mason Band.
The festival is smoke-free and family- and dog-friendly, with a special staffed children’s tent on the Saturday of the festival.
There is limited seating under the big tent, so plan to come early or bring a small lawn chair or blanket. Vendors will be on hand to provide food and beverages.