River Music Fest June 26 6-9 p.m.

What could be better than a lazy summer evening of free live music along a beautiful river with family and friends?  You can enjoy just that during the first River Music Fest from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, June 26, along the banks off the beautiful Chemung River on Elmira’s Southside. Rain date is July 10.

The free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed and includes the music of delta blues sensation, Gerard Burke, of Elmira, folk music and original tunes by Danny Maloney of Elmira and some foot-stompin’ claw-hammer banjo by a surprise guest.  Feel free to bring along a musical instrument for a sing-along jam.  The family-oriented event is free and open to the public. You’re invited to come listen to great music, enjoy the company of good people and revel in the beauty and serenity that is the Chemung River.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket a picnic dinner and cool beverages. Kids are encouraged to attend, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. No food or beverages will be sold or provided at the event. Portable bathrooms will be available.

The River Music Fest will be held on privately owned property on flatlands between the flood levee and the river, not far upstream (west) of Dunn Field.  Please enter the area by the Department of Environmental Conservation access road off of Catherine Street, near the DEC pump station across from Brand Park. Volunteers will direct you to free parking near the festival site.

If this first River Music Fest is a success, we will sponsor additional monthly music fests. However, the future of the festivals depends on you. Please be respectful of neighbors, don’t drive on private property or the levee. Don’t park on the streets and if you bring it in with you, take it out when you leave. We want to keep the river as clean and beautiful as possible.

Expect an evening of good music, humor, fun and the realization that the Chemung River is a great place for good folks to gather for family fun.

For more information, contact River Friends at (607) – 846-2242 or e-mail at riverfriends@stny.rr.com.