‘Hard Travelin' music shines at Harvest Moon Folk Festival

Warwick - The Warwick Winery Harvest Moon Folk Festival carries on a tradition of celebrating the transition from summer into fall by music. This transition has roots that can be traced back to the music festivals held in the shadow of the Wawayanda Mountains at the Rickie & Son Farm just north of Vernon, N.J., on Route 94, and the White Trash Music Festivals hosted by Jim Elwell at his farm south of Pine Island. These events provided an opportunity for area residents in the know to enjoy the talents of local musicians performing their original music and popular songs professionally staged in a beautiful outdoor environment. This year’s Harvest Moon Folk Festival included local artists Larry Amato and John Sheehan, who have provided area audiences with many enjoyable years of entertainment featuring their fingerpick-style guitar playing and original music. This year’s Harvest Moon Folk Festival audience also was rewarded by the talents of many outstanding performers from outside the area. Among these musicians was Mark Erelli, from Portland, Me., who presented a combination of original and folk protest songs, and the daughter of folk legend Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, Sarah Lee Guthrie, and her husband, Johnny Irion, performing both original and classic Guthrie tunes. At the end of the concert the audience was further rewarded when Sarah Lee and Johnny left the stage to join audience to perform their final song unplugged. The music was outstanding, made even more special by having the opportunity to enjoy the products of the Warwick Winery and a beautiful day on the field above the open air stage adjacent to the winery. For more information about the winery, visit its Web site at www.wvwinery.com. This article and photos were provided by Dr. John T. Whiting.