CENTRE HALL — The 12th annual Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival drew thousands of participants and spectators to Grange Park for five days, July 4 to 8, for down-home banjo, guitar and fiddle music.
In addition to the 20 bluegrass bands that performed, attendees could enjoy after-hours jam sessions in the camper areas.
According to event organizer Ryan Frankhouser, leader of the Remington Ryde bluegrass band, the festival has grown steadily from its beginning, and now draws people from about 20 states and some Canadian provinces. It originally was held in Mifflin County Youth Park in Reedsville, but quickly outgrew that venue and moved to Grange Park.
The festival acts perform on a covered portable stage, erected just west of the Grange Fair grandstand, since the number of spectators is typically too large for the Grange facility. Attendees were seated in lawn chairs, both in the open air and under several large circus-style shade tents, listening to the musical performers. The festival also included music workshops, open jam sessions, raffles and many food and craft vendors.
Among the attendees were members of the Kissill, Parker, Kwalwasaser and Sexton families, who hail from Arizona, New Jersey, Florida and New York, respectively. This group became friends 35 years ago when attending other bluegrass festivals. They have traveled and camped together at several festivals in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey ever since, and they consider the Remington Ryde festival to be the best one they attend.
“This is old-time traditional bluegrass,” said John Kissill, noting that some festivals lean toward a more progressive, updated bluegrass style, called “newgrass.” The group of friends feels that the traditional style of the Remington Ryde event is the reason for its popularity and reputation.
