The Old Time Weekend
September 19-22, 2024 near Harpers Ferry
How was the 2023 event? Over 200 people registered. Cyclone Ophelia put a damper on things: rain Friday night thru Sunday afternoon. Nevertheless, we played tunes under the big tent and beside the big fireplace. Our host was amazingly helpful. View some photos on Google Photos. We expect to be bigger and better in 2024.
Registration for 2024
Please email us in advance. Write to: FrederickOldTime@gmail.com Let us know your vehicle type: bicycle, car, car+trailer, camper, RV. Let us know of any carpool needs, carpool offers, special needs, or special offers. We will reply with directions to the site.
Donations
The event is free but we gladly accept cash donations to help cover grounds, insurance, port-a-johns, dumpster, land maintenance, and event promotion. We suggest $5-10 per adult for the day, or $10-20 per adult for the weekend. Banjo players pay what you can. The organizers welcome donations of labor to help with parking and garbage collection. Thank you!
Camping Facilities
You may go home at night or camp out with us. You can park on the grass. You can set up your tent, pop-up, trailer, or RV . There are no electric or water hook-ups for the RVs, just grass. We provide outdoor port-a-johns. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Ask us about finding B&Bs nearby. The nearest restaurants and hotels are in scenic Shepherdstown WV.
Old Time Jams
This retreat is exclusively about old time music jams. You are welcome to play any acoustic instrument. You are welcome to clog, flat foot, buck dance, or just tap your feet. We will not organize meals, contests, performances, or square dances. Bring a folding chair and an instrument. Join some friends on the grass and make some music.
Inclusiveness
This is a fun retreat for people who love to play, listen to, or dance to Old Time acoustic music. We enforce family-friendly behavior. We want to get away from amplified music and electric instruments. We don't tolerate rude, offensive, or drunken behavior. We welcome EVERYONE who wants to participate.
Friday and Saturday nights: join the jams; join the campfire circles; enjoy dinners with friends.
Bring your fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, standup bass, and dance board.
Provide your own tent, awning, chairs, food, water, cups, plates, utensils, cook stove.
Special events
Sugar Jam happens Saturday night. Bring a dessert to share.
Road Construction
There were two nearby road closures last year. Driving should be easier this year!
Thanks to the organizers
Cuch, Jason, Gina, Heather, Marissa, Tobi, Tony, and Old Time Harold
Photos by Gina
Photos by Mark Collins
Past Events
Collage by Kathie Hollingshead.
Crankie by Marissa Smith.
The 2019 promotional card.
The 2018 promotional card.
The 2017 promotional card.
2023
We met at an historic location with wonderful amenities. We had over 200 registrants but only 100 attendees due to the cyclone that kept us drenched all weekend. Despite the rain, everyone loved the place and enjoyed the experience.
Collage by Kathie Hollingshead.
2022
The 2022 event was another success with 100 to 200 attendees. The weekend occurred at B Chord Brewing. Attendees got to see a NASA liftoff from Wallops Island Saturday night.
2022 banner painting by Adrienne Kelly.
2021
The 2021 event was a success with 100 to 200 attendees. The weekend occurred at B Chord Brewing Thur Sep 23 to Sun Sep 26. There was plenty of on-site parking in the fields and in the woods. The nearby DelFest event had been cancelled for Covid-related reasons; four of the stranded bands played outdoors at B Chord Saturday night, creating a rock concert atmosphere.
2020
The 2020 event was cancelled to the Covid-19 epidemic. Sorry folks!
2019
The 2019 event (third annual) was hosted by B Chord Brewing Thur Sep 26 through Sun Sep 29. The weather was perfect. Art, Pierra, and others served a huge pasta dinner. Tony & Marge led the song workshop. Danny Knicely played on the B Chord stage. [PHOTOS by Ezra Deutsch-Feldman]
2018
The 2018 event (second annual) saw heavy rain Thur Sep 27. On Friday morning, the Brunswick Family Campground had to be evacuated and by Friday afternoon it flooded. B Chord Brewing took us in on short notice. We enjoyed 2 sunny days after that. [PHOTOS]
2017
The 2017 event (first ever) was Fri Sep 29 to Sun Oct 1 at the Brunswick Family Campground. It was cold but turnout was good. We received 120 donations. [PHOTOS]
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