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This is THE GREAT festival for strictly old time music. The festival takes place every year, Wednesday to Sunday, first week in August. It happens in a secluded park with an old log cabin dance hall. Since the park gets full by Wednesday, many musicians show up the weekend before. There is no such thing as a campsite reservation. Cars and tents and trailers and tarps are squeezed in everywhere. There is almost no level ground. It can be hot, soggy, and muddy. The camp has been known to run high on rain and low on tap water. There is an organized square dance every night by the best bands in the land. There are ad-hoc dances too. Some campers organize talent shows and pot luck dinners. There is a contest every day and a winners' show every night. There are organized kids' activities such as basket weaving. Kids tend to find each other and have lots of fun. Grownups too.
Recent videos.
2016. In the Traditional Band Contest, the Moose Whisperers won 1st place playing Brush Fork of John's Creek and Sally in the Turnip Patch [utoob] and Durang's Hornpipe [utoob1, utoob2]. In 2018 the band released their CD. The fiddler is a member of the Feleboga family band in Oslo Norway. The banjo player has several projects. The bass player is a member of the Gravy Soppers family band in Frederick Maryland. In youth division, the Onlys took first place in a competition that also included Dirty Burger and the Easy Bake Boys. The Onlys went on to win overall in 2017. Last year's neo-traditional band contest winner played the Friday night concert, and they were Roochie Toochie and the Ragtime Shepherd Kings. Last year's traditional band contest winner played the Saturday night concert, and they were Buffalo Gap.
2016: Moose Whisperers (Johann, Jake, Mattias, Ben) - Durang's Hornpipe
Typical schedule:
Friday-Tuesday: pre-fest camping
Wednesday: Dance workshop, slow jam.
Thursday: Banjo and fiddle contests, dances, workshops.
Friday: Neo-traditional band contest, dances, classes.
Saturday: Traditional band contest, concert by past winners.
Sunday: Pack up and go.
Videos:
Right: Half Past Four played by the Ratchet Mountain Rock Farmers, Clifftop 2007.
Sally Anne fiddled by Roger Netherton on stage, Clifftop 2012.
One of the big dances in Chestnut Lodge.
Physco Exploding Organgutans youth band, Clifftop 2011.
Pasta Rama 2016 hosted each year by Tony & Marge during pre-fest.
Links:
Official site: Appalachian String Band Festival.
Location: Camp Washington-Carver, Clifftop WV 25831. This is in the middle of nowhere. Check the maps before you drive.
2011 winners list
2012 story, Charleston Gazette
2013 photo gallery
What is nearby?
The New River Gorge, subject of the song "New River Train".
The New River Gorge Bridge [wikipedia] and visitor station [National Park Service].
Rainelle, former coal/lumber town.
Fayetteville for great coffee & food.
2007: Rachel, Hillary, Stuart, Bill, Mark. Half Past Four
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