The Virginia Folklife Program has forged a wonderful partnership with Watermelon Park Fest, September 24-27, in Berryville, Virginia. Home to one of the country’s first-ever bluegrass festivals, Watermelon Park is a celebration of bluegrass, country, and gospel music along the banks of the Shenandoah River.
Watermelon Park proudly features several Virginia Folklife master and apprentice teams. With funding support from an Anonymous Donor, the festival will showcase the work of the Ingramettes, the Family of Praise Gospel Choir, and Danny Knicely and Jack Dunlap. Many said that Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes’ performance was the best set of the festival in 2014. This year we mourn Maggie’s passing, and plan a house-rocking celebration of her life with her beloved Ingramettes and the Family of Praise Gospel Choir led by Maggie’s granddaughter, Cheryl Maroney-Beaver. After last year’s performance, Almeta, Maggie’s daughter, said that she felt that there was “something incredibly spiritual” about Watermelon Park.
And did we mention a few of the other performers? Loretta Lynn, Peter Rowan, Pokey LaFarge, Cedric Watson, the Barefoot Movement, Furnace Mountain, and the Woodshedders, to name but a few.
Full festival details are here.
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