STATE COLLEGE — The Friends of Slab Cabin and the State College Friends School will host the Slab Cabin Summer Songfest on Sunday, June 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 1900 University Drive. The festival will benefit the Slab Cabin Run Initiative, led by ClearWater Conservancy, and will feature performances by Eric Ian Farmer, Hops and Vines, Jason Beale of the Dystractions, the Ken Baxter Trio and the Stacy Glen Duet. Nomad Kitchen will offer local, organic food for sale. Tickets are $15/person (ages 14 and under are free).
The Slab Cabin Run Initiative aims to permanently conserve 300 acres of agricultural land located along University Drive and directly across from the State College Friends School. The property, which belongs to the Meyer and Everhart families of State College, lies in a vital portion of the Spring Creek Watershed, within the source water protection area for the Harter-Thomas wells, which supply the majority of drinking water for residents in State College and much of the Centre Region. Protecting the farmland is critical to preserving the quality of the community’s drinking water.
“Our students love to see the cows grazing in the pasture across the street from our school,” said Lisa Gamble, associate head of school. “Helping the Slab Cabin Run Initiative is important to our school, not only to protect the beautiful pastoral setting that our students enjoy, but also to protect the drinking water that benefits our entire community.”
Of the $2.75 million that ClearWater Conservancy must raise to purchase an easement on the farmland, about $500,000 remain to be acquired. Friends of Slab Cabin and the State College Friends School hope the Slab Cabin Song Fest will help to offset a portion of that amount.
“We are excited to host five outstanding music acts that will be donating their time to this cause,” said Elizabeth Gross, a member of the Friends of Slab Cabin. “The Slab Cabin Run Initiative benefits everyone in State College by protecting our high-quality drinking water supply. Attending this music festival is one way the community can contribute to the maintenance of this valuable resource.”
To purchase tickets to the Slab Cabin Summer Songfest, go to: bit.ly/SlabCabinSummerSongfest. For more information about the Slab Cabin Run Initiative, go to: https://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/donate/slabcabinrun/
