05/18/11 The Yellow River Festival has announced its 2011 Music & Entertainment schedule. This year’s lineup will feature performances by regional favorites Gold Mine Pickers and Kennedy’s Kitchen. Gold Mine Pickers play what they refer to as “a rich, fun blend of Americana, bluegrass, folk, old-time and Irish music–with dashes of country, and jam for good measure.” Kennedy’s Kitchen blends traditional Irish folk with hearty Celtic-flavored original tunes.
The fun begins the day before the festival itself, with performances across Marshall County on Friday, June 3. Friday events are sponsored by Encore Performing Arts, Inc. Look for: Marcy Prochaska playing hammered dulcimer at the Argos Public Library (2pm), Beth Pare and her harp at Culver Coffee Company (6pm), folk music by “Lane, Jenny, and friends” (members of Shakin’ Hammers String Band and guests) at Bremen’s Italian Coffee Bar (7pm), George Schricker and Gene Ley at the Marshall Co. Historical Museum in Plymouth (12pm), and Pay the Piper at Opie’s Deli in Plymouth (7pm).
On Saturday, June 4, people can hear music all day at the Yellow River Festival’s main stage from 8am to 8pm. Ranging from traditional folk ballads to stomping string band tunes, the music will reflect popular and folk music from the 1800s along with American Indian drumming. Saturday morning starts with a pre-festival warm-up show featuring Yesterday’s News (8am) and Brent Martin (8:30). At 9am, the Opening Ceremony will center around a Mayoral Proclamation and official naming of the park followed by Shakin’ Hammers String Band. The Winter Hawk Drums will perform at 10am. Music fans will be treated to Liza & Mark Woolever (11am), then Marcy Prochaska and Beth Pare (Noon), followed by Marshall County Women (a choir) singing Civil War songs and our yearly Open Mic. Pay the Piper takes the stage at 2pm, then Gold Mine Pickers at 3pm, with Winter Hawk Drums performing again at 4. Festival-goers of all ages are invited to take part annual “contra dance,” featuring Karen Andrews, at 5pm. Prairie Dogs perform at 6pm, with Kennedy’s Kitchen headlining at 7pm.
The festival will also feature “Johnny Appleseed” played by Steve McPhail, who has appeared as the colorful pioneer at events throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.
As always, the Yellow River Festival happens on the first Saturday in June, this year falling on June 4. The festival will take place on LaPorte St. on the banks of the Yellow River in Plymouth. More information is available at www.yellowriverfestival.org.
