HONESDALE, PA — The annual Summer Festival of Events in Honesdale’s Central Park wraps up on Thursday July 27 at 7:30, with a celebratory performance by the Old Time Fiddlers. The series is presented by the Wayne County Creative Arts Council.

The Old Time Fiddlers have been delighting audiences in NEPA for more than forty years. An informal collective - a family, really - of more than two dozen musicians who share an unwavering love for traditional music and dance, the Fiddlers are committed to “promoting and preserving traditional music through performance and education.” Their repertoire is solidly based in the Appalachian fiddle tradition, but a given show will feature many kinds of music, from Irish, Scottish, and Canadian to bluegrass, Texas swing, and old-time. The members’ diverse musical tastes and tune choices make for enjoyable and interesting shows. Attending a show is like stepping back to a simpler time in life. The tunes are played on acoustic instruments such as guitar, mandolin, banjo, piano, bass, accordion and, of course, the fiddle.

This year’s performance should be particularly interesting. The group’s organizer, Steve Jacobi, recently returned from an epic cross-country trip to Weiser, Idaho, where he participated in the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival. Steve placed second in the Senior class, and will no doubt have some tales to tell and tunes to share! He was also inducted into the North America Fiddlers Hall of Fame.

Sammy Antonetti will open for Old Time Fiddlers at approximately 7pm. Come early to catch this talented young performer.  Sammy is a local teenager singer/songwriter who performs popular music as well as her own songs. You can find her on most streaming services as Sammy Isabela.

Please bring chairs or blankets for seating. Fresh ice cream will be available for purchase, courtesy of Creamworks Creamery.

In case of inclement weather listen to 95.3FM or 105.3FM or check out the WCCAC’s webpage, www.honesdaleparkevents.org (or check us out on Facebook, “Wayne Co. Creative Arts Council”) If the weather cancels the show, the rain date will be on Monday, July 31, instead.

These concerts are partially funded by donations from local folks and businesses, a grant from the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau, and by a free will collection at each concert.