Interlaken, NY) Americana Vineyards Winery, in partnership with Q-Country 103.7, is excited to announce their first ever Americana Countryfest country music festival on Saturday, September 14 from 1:30pm to 9:30pm on the beautiful grounds of the winery located in Interlaken, NY – just north of Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake.
Americana has always supported local music, hosting bands every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, along with special music events like their 4th of July Birthday BBQ Bash, but this is their first foray into the local country music scene.
“We noticed a surprising lack of shows for this genre locally, and wanted to give country music fans a way to enjoy this music without having to go to a big ticket venue,” explained the winery’s charismatic owner, Joseph S. Gober, Jr. “And conversely, we wanted to give these terrific bands another venue option to put on their shows, and get their music out to the public. So what better place than our backyard, which already has a proven track record for concerts and entertainment?”
The festival is eight hours of continuous music featuring popular country bands from throughout the Finger Lakes.
The show kicks off with CNY’s Donna & The Mystics who will be playing “rocking country” – a blend of new country, 50s and 60s faves, classic and southern rock to get the dance floor hopping from 1:30-3:30. Founded in 1984, this NYS Country Music Hall Of Fame band consists of four talented, nationally- and regionally-acclaimed musicians and plays to packed venues throughout New York, Pennsylvania and country capital Branson, Missouri.
Then, Jason Wicks takes the stage from 3:30-5:30 with a mix of original music influenced by iconic country artists like George Strait, Merle Haggard and Jerry Reed, along with a nice dose of today’s hot country sounds like Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. You may have caught this Nashville recording artist and songwriter playing to standing room only crowds in clubs, taverns and casino venues all around Central New York near his Afton, NY ranch, or maybe opening for top national country acts like Blackberry Smoke, Matt Gary, Blaine Larsen, Andy Griggs, Clint Black and Wynonna Judd.
Groton’s own Chasing Neon is up next from 5:30-7:30. Chasing Neon is the newest project from former Small Town Shade frontman Nicholas Stark with lead singer and guitarist Scott Marlette, and will offer festivalgoers a great modern country sound with a blend of today’s country, driving originals and classic rock.
The festival wraps up with the very popular Cortland-based Tink Bennett & Tailor Made from 7:30-9:30. This band has been performing in the Central New York area and beyond for over 30 years, and have opened for Lady Antebellum, Charlie Daniels, Josh Thompson, Sammy Kershaw and Molly Hatchett a few. Their blend of hot country with a bit of classic rock will have everyone dancing right to the end of the festival.
Americana’s media partner Q-Country, 103.7 out of Ithaca is helping to get the word out to country fans about this exciting new festival, which will also include food trucks and other local vendors as part of the festivities, along with a blind draw cornhole tournament. Radio personalities from Q-Country will be on hand, announcing the bands and doing contests and giveaways. Tickets to the festival are just $15 in advance, and available August 1, by calling the winery at 607.387.6801. At the gate, the day of the show, tickets will be $17.50 each (kids under 13 free). In addition, Q-Country 103.7 will be giving away tickets to their listeners leading up to the event.
"There’ll be tons of great food, drink, and fun to go along with a great day of country music that spans the entire spectrum of the genre," said Gober. "So feel free to bring your chairs, blankets, and even pop-ups and set up for the whole day. And definitely, do not forget your dancing shoes – or in this case, boots!" A full schedule of festivities and updates are be available on Americana's website and the Winery's Facebook page.
