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The Battenkill Runs Through It

The Battenkill Runs Through It
Sixth Annual Beach, Music & Food Festival
Saturday, May 28, 2016
 Noon  – 6:00 PM
Greenwich Town Beach

Battenkill Conservancy's sixth annual beach, music & food festival returns on Saturday, May 28, 2016. The Festival kicks off the summer season on the banks of the Battenkill at the Greenwich Town Beach, just north of the village on Route 29. 

The Sixth Annual Battenkill Runs Through It Festival features the Local 518's most popular musicians in conjunction with Exit 97.7 WEXT. A traditional Color Guard ceremony opens the festival at Noon with singing of the national anthem. Next, the foot stopping, multi-instrumentalist fiddler, George Wilson accompanied by bass player Mitch Throop, take the stage to get the music flowing.

This year home town singer/songwriter Bob Warren with the help of musician Peter Maine has invited a special group of his musical friends to fill the afternoon with the best of the 518 local music scene. The Festival never disappoints in the food arena with the Battenkill Picnic Plate that is included in the price of the very affordable entry tickets ($10 in advance/$5 for kids).

In addition to barbeque specialties, the festival features top quality offerings from area restaurants and food purveyors focusing on local and organic offerings and ensuring both vegetarian and gluten free entrees. The Festival's silent auction, the Battenkill Bidding Board, highlights a strong selection of the Battenkill watershed's recreational and cultural gems.

This year the auction will feature some new artists (including well regarded painter & mosaic artist, Rose Klebes of Cambridge) along with past artists whose work have proved popular amongst the bidding crowd. Thanks to the donors ongoing generosity, the auction includes original art from internationally collected artist, Stephen Lack, multi talented artist, author and art therapist, Elizabeth Cockey and a bucolic “Countryside” scene by the talented, young artist Jacob Houston. Raffles for an Orvis fly fishing rod, Ed Levin Jewelry and gift certificates from the best the Battenkill has to offer will all be featured.

The Battenkill Conservancy will also present the Battenkill Community Citizen Award during the festivities. This year's recipient, to be announced prior to the festival, will be the fifth citizen to receive the award. The award is given annually to community residents whose past actions and support have had a positive impact on the river and the watershed from an environmental, educational, economic, historic or cultural perspective. Past recipients have included Bob Warren, Sally Tefft, Josh Levy and Clifford Oliver. The music, food and silent auction offerings are geared to remind us of the Battenkill's influence on the cultural, artistic and economic activities of the area.

Executive Director, Lorraine Merghart Ballard, is quick to remind us that the Battenkill Runs Through It Festival's real objective is the river and to highlight fun, close to home water related family activities. Many of these will be offered during the Festival including the River Watch Discovery Kit & scavenger hunt, canoe and kayaks available for use, fly fishing demonstrations and the always popular live River Bugs science table. It all makes for a perfect summer kick off for everyone who loves music, food and most importantly our river, the Battenkill!

The Festival begins at Noon and ends at 6:00 pm. Ticket prices include food, music and all activities with reduced entry for children 10 & under. Advance tickets will be available and complete details to be posted at www.battenkillconservancy.org.

Hear a sneak peak of George Wilson's performance and a brief conversation with Dave Michaels about how much fun we're going to have!