Bay Music Festival all set on June 10th for the 36th year!
The Bay Music Festival will feature 12 bands (including six new acts) on two stages all for the unbelievable cover charge of $5 per person over 10 years old! The festival will be held at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park near Centreville on Saturday June 10th from 2 pm until 9pm, with gates opening at 1 pm. The festival will feature an eclectic mix of the regions hottest new bands with some all-time favorites playing the songs you love plus their originals.
The Lion Club’s major annual fundraiser has become one of the longest continuous playing music festivals in the state and in celebration of the Club’s 70th anniversary, the gate price has been rolled back to $5 so everyone can come out with family and friends to celebrate the return of summer by supporting these fantastic musicians, and the community. There will be no advance ticket sales, just a $5 cover charge at the gate for all over 10 years old with plenty of food truck vendors and ice cold beverages for sale at the park. Any donations to help the club serve the community through its sight related projects will be greatly appreciated.
Kicking off the festivities at 2pm will be three bands sponsored and managed by Priddy Music Academy, including Downside Up, AC/DB and Go With the Flow. Downside Up, winner of the 2016 Battle of the Bands for those over 14 years old will kick off the day with some of your favorite classic rock tunes. The second band will be Go With the Flow, a groove based R & B/rock band, will be sure to capture your attention with their high energy and amazing delivery of many throwback tunes that have been adapted to their R & B funky style. At 3:40 pm the traditional country music of Delmarva’s own Jones Boys, will fill the park. Their take on classic country music has been a favorite of many in our region since 1992 and seeing them perform live for the first time will make you a fan as well.
Next up on the main stage will be one of the new acts this year, which is the Annapolis based Skribe. Their music has been labeled as garage folk/ outlaw country, and is described as music drawn from roots Americana with the 60’s garage rock spirit.
Taking the stage next will be one of the Eastern Shore legends, the icon of truckin’ rockabilly music, Mr. Birddog Wheeler and his Road Kings, who have played every year at this festival, as they will perform at 6 pm. Whether they are playing with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings or at the Bay Music Festival, they always deliver and this year with a special punch as world renowned fiddler Jon Glik will be joining in.
Another band making their initial appearance at the Festival, but no stranger to music lovers will be the soul stirring Pressing Strings trio from Annapolis. They will be bringing their blend of American Roots, Blues, Rock and Reggae to the Festival playing many originals from their first two EP’s.
Closing out the show this year will be the Lee Priddy Trio, a very powerful band from Annapolis. Anchored by founder Lee Priddy on guitar they promise to deliver a set of your favorite classic rock tunes and jams that will stir you to the bone!
The second stage activity will kick off at 2:25 with another Battle of the Bands winner, an amazing band of 10 year olds who are surely a candidate for Little Big Shots.
Following them at 3:20 will be another regional favorite, children’s musician Tracey Eldridge, playing two sets of her award winning children’s classics as well as entertaining the children later with her phenomenal balloon art that is always a hit.
Sarah Paige and Jillian Taylor, two future stars, will perform at 5:30 and 6:45 respectively. Sarah’s vocals are reminiscent of Florence and the Machine and Suzanne Vega, and finger style guitar playing will surely draw you in. Jillian Taylor, currently studying at Berklee College of Music is one of the best singer/songwriters to come out of this region in years. Her style is described as pop with a folk flair and very captivating.
Closing out the second stage at 8 pm and making their debut at this festival will be 2nd Chair, an up and coming trio of students from Kent Island that will be bringing their own energetic mix of original hard rock to the festival.
There will be plenty of activities and entertainment for the children as the QAC YMCA will be also be providing children’s activities again this year, including camp games, moon bounce, and face painting. There will also be a host of artisan craft vendors bringing their wares for your consideration.
Attendees are reminded that no coolers are allowed to be brought into the Park, as there will be plenty of great food and cold beverages on sale. The food menu will be provided by gourmet food trucks featuring Eastern Shore open pit roast beef or pulled pork, plus hamburgers and hotdogs along with fresh cut French fries, tacos, burrito bowls plus other Latin dishes, ice cream, shakes and funnel cakes. The beverage menu will include plenty of ice cold beer, and drinks to satisfy any taste.
The Lions Club will be the raffling off an autographed PRS SE 245 guitar at the festival. Tickets may be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20 online at doyoucaboodle.com as well at the festival and you do not have to be present to win. So, even if you cannot come to the event please do not miss out on an opportunity to win a valuable handcrafted musical instrument that you will treasure!
Coors Light is once again the Presenting sponsor for the Bay Music Festival with the proceeds going to fund the Centreville Lions Club SightFirst projects, including the famed Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, sight needs in our community and scholarships to Chesapeake College.
Other sponsors include Platinum sponsors PNC Bank, Preston Lincoln and Preston Hyundai; Diamond Sponsors Shore United Bank, Ashley Insurance, Callahan’s Gas, Choptank Electric and Gold sponsors Caboodle Cartridge, PRS Guitars, Friel Lumber, Queenstown Bank, Doc’s Riverside Grille, Western Auto in Centreville, 1710 Percussion, QAC YMCA, and Price And Gannon Ace Hardware.
The Bay Music Festival is a rain or shine event with plenty of shade trees, picnic tables and cover if needed however please bring lawn chairs if you like. Go to www.baymusicfestival.com, the Centreville Lions Club, Md. Facebook page or call 410-604-2100 for more information. Please come out to support the Lions Club, our community and have a great time with your family and friends as we celebrate the return of summer!