Arootsakoostik music festival taking shape
To the editor:
The Arootsakoostik music festival will return for its fifth year on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Thomas Park in New Sweden. After a very successful event in 2010, we have once again lined up some incredible talent from all over Maine and beyond.
We couldn’t be more excited to have The Toughcats who headlined the event last year in grand fashion, return as one of this year’s headliners. We are also very pleased to welcome the Spirit Family Reunion from Brooklyn, N.Y. These folks who play a highly engaging mix of traditional folk music for a new generation, have recently been selected to perform alongside national acts like My Morning Jacket, the Avett Brothers, Government Mule and Bela Fleck at the annual Mountain Jam in Woodstock, NY.
We are also very excited to have Wesley Hartley and the Traveling Trees making another trip to Arootsakoostik. This widely regarded band is in the midst of a cross country tour culminating with stops at prestigious festivals such as South by Southwest in Austin, Texas as well as the 35 Conferette Showcase. In addition, we are happy to be showcasing some of Maine’s most respected touring acts including The Lucid, Theodore Treehouse, the Milkman’s Union, Line Of Force and Dark Hollow Bottling Company. Another highlight will be the return of Old-timey folk musician and banjo extraordinaire, Putnam Smith, whose last album “Goldrush” hit number 5 on the National Folk DJ charts.
Arootsakoostik is proud to continue the tradition of donating its proceeds to local beneficiaries. Once again we plan to donate monies to Thomas Park to aid in its restoration and maintenance in addition to other local causes. We have donated approximately $2,000 to the park in the past as well as donations to the Make-A-Wish foundation and local food pantries and soup kitchens. As always, we will be holding a can food drive at the gate in order to help stock local food pantries.
We will also have an expanded Kid’s Area with games and activities as well as local food and craft vendors with a few new surprises in store as well. All of this plus two stages of music all set to get underway at 11 a.m. and run until 8 p.m.
Our beautiful event would not be able to take place without all the time and generosity of the volunteers, musicians (most of which who donate their time and efforts to make the long trip to northern Maine) and our supporters. If you would like to make a donation to help us stage this wonderful festival it would be greatly appreciated. Your donation would help feed our volunteers and musicians, it would help pay for printing and advertising costs as well as basic promotional and festival expenses.
For your donation, you will be recognized as a sponsor at the event, in its programs and related publicity. You will also be given some complimentary tickets to enjoy as you wish. Lastly, you will be doing the County a huge favor by allowing us to keep making this event, which the Bangor Daily News called “One of 50 best things to do in the summer” as well as “the best kept secret in Maine” possible.
With pure intentions a lot of people have worked real hard to get this event established, recognized and respected, we should all be proud and continue to nurture it so it can thrive for many years to come. It is truly a win-win situation for Aroostook County. Thank you for supporting the arts. I hope you can join us in New Sweden on July 9.
You can find much more information and links to all the bands performing at this year’s festival on the Arootsakoostik Music Festival’s Facebook page. We will be unleashing a brand new website real soon which will have ticket info and other vital information real soon. We will keep you posted. You can reach me with any questions at Travcyr@yahoo.com or by phone at 484-6000. Thanks again for your support.
Travis Cyr, founder
Van Buren
