www.wellsreserve.org/news/2004-09-13_punkinfiddle.htm

PUNKINFIDDLE FUN FOR FAMILIES AND FIDDLE FANS

WELLS, MAINE -- Punkinfiddle, a harvest festival featuring lively music, old-fashioned games, traditional crafts, scrumptious food, farm animals, and tons of pumpkins will be held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm on Saturday, October 9, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Most activities run from 10 am past 4 pm, with special programs planned from 4 to 6 pm and an evening concert from 6 to 9 pm.

An afternoon concert will feature the Irish septet Danú; New England favorites Rodney Miller, David Surette, and Susie Burke; and local pickers Jerks of Grass with fiddler Melissa Bragdon.

During the day, kids of all ages can carve or paint a pumpkin, make a scarecrow, press apples for cider, or churn butter. Sack races, three-legged races, egg relays, tugs-of-war, and pumpkin seed spitting are among the games and contests planned.

Punkinfiddle artisans will provide insight into traditional livelihoods by demonstrating their crafts. Artisans will demonstrate wool spinning, knitting, rug braiding, rug hooking, quilting, cloth taping, natural fabric dyeing, violin making, canning, soap making, basket weaving, and bee keeping.

Sheep herding dog trainer Bert Cowgill will show his dogs at work and Rocking Horse Stables of Kennebunk will offer horse-drawn hay rides. Oxen, ponies, goats, and poultry will be among the other animals at the farm.

Local tractor enthusiasts will have several antique tractors on display for Punkinfiddle.

From 3:30 to 6 pm, the Ceilidh House will sponsor a special gathering in the Laudholm barn. A ceilidh is a traditional community gathering for shared creative expression and entertainment in the form of songs, tunes, stories, poetry, and dancing. The word ceilidh is from Scottish Gaelic and is pronounced "kaylee." Think of the ceilidh as a kind of musical potluck: Everyone brings what they can and all contributions are welcomed, savored, and equally enjoyed.

Blue Star Catering of Ogunquit will serve delicious Maine harvest fare. Food will include chowders, roast turkey, local seafood, baked beans, pumpkin treats, Carpe Diem Pumpkin Spice coffee, local seasonal ice cream, and Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. The Wells Farmers Market will be on site from noon to 6 pm, so folks can take home fine local produce and products.

Tickets are $8 ($10 at the gate) for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids under 6 get in free. Admission to the evening concert under the tent is $15. Advance tickets are on sale at the Wells Reserve visitor center, online at www.punkinfiddle.org, or at (207) 646-4521.

Proceeds will benefit Laudholm Trust, the nonprofit organization that supports research, education, and stewardship at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The Wells Reserve is located at 342 Laudholm Farm Road, just off Routes 1 and 9 near the Wells-Kennebunk line. The site boasts several historic buildings, excellent exhibits, and seven miles of easy hiking trails through fields and forests to salt marshes and a sandy beach.

MORE DETAILS ON PUNKINFIDDLE MUSIC

Four ways to enjoy music at Punkinfiddle:

1. Concerts by stellar musicians.
2. An open mic for performers at any level.
3. A ceilidh for shared creative expression.
4. Workshops and jams.

Tentative Schedule
1 pm: Rodney Miller, David Surette, and Susie Burke
2 pm: Jerks of Grass
3 pm: Danú
6 pm: Jerks of Grass
7 pm: Rodney Miller, David Surette, and Susie Burke
8 pm: Danú

Inside seating for the evening concert requires a separate ticket.

About the Musicians

Danú
The seven members of Danú, based in County Waterford, Ireland, remain loyal to Irish traditional music while bringing a fresh, inspiring approach to their performances. Danú won the 2004 Best Group award from BBC Radio 2 on the strength of their outstanding 2003 release The Road Less Traveled. Danú is Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (amhránaí/singer, flute, tin whistles), Donnchadh Gough (bodhrán, uilleann pipes), Tom Doorley (flute, whistles, backing vocals), Éamonn Doorley (bouzouki, fiddle), Benny McCarthy (accordeon, melodeon), Dónal Clancy (guitar), and Oisín McAuley (fiddle, backing vocals).

Rodney Miller, David Surette, and Susie Burke
This local trio brings virtuosity, innovation, imagination, and good humor to a traditional sound rooted in the Celtic and French-Canadian influenced music of New England. Rodney Miller is one of the nation's finest dance fiddlers who, over the past 25 years, has toured internationally, performed and taught at hundreds of music and dance festivals, and recorded ten albums. David Surette, among New England's finest guitarists, is a top-notch accompanist, fluent in a variety of styles, and equally at home on the mandolin and bouzouki. Susie Burke's strong, beautiful voice and warm, heartfelt stage manner help to create a memorable and valuable musical experience for audiences.

Jerks of Grass
For five straight years, Jerks of Grass has been a winner in The Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll. The quartet - Jason Phelps on flat-picked guitar, Ronnie Gallant on mandolin, Tom Jacques on bass, Carter Logan on banjo - has topped the folk/bluegrass, bluegrass, and roots category since 2000. For Punkinfiddle, they will be joined by blazing fiddler Melissa Bragdon.

# # #
NEWS HOME