Storytelling and Music Comes to McCauley Mountain
On Saturday, July 24th, Old Forge will once again host the Adirondack Storytelling Festival for families. The annual festival exposes attendees to the rich, varied culture of the Adirondacks through traditional folklore storytelling, music performances, craft demonstrations, nature walks and more.
This year’s festival, presented by the Old Forge Library, will be held at the beautiful McCauley Mountain Ski Area. The day will begin at 10am with a nature walk and wrap up with the last storytelling/song performance from 3pm-4pm.
Nature photographer Joan Hermann will lead the morning nature walk. Joan has been photographing her surroundings for over thirty years, including fifteen years in the Adirondacks. In those fifteen years, she’s become well acquainted with much that the Adirondack landscape has to offer. Joan has exhibited her work at numerous art centers and other public spaces throughout upstate New York. Walking with Joan is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys hiking, or simply gazing at the local flora and fauna.
Storyteller and writer Joseph Bruchac will then emcee the afternoon of storytelling, which will start off with a performance by Joseph and his son, Jesse. Joseph is the author of over seventy books for both children and adults. He has been plying his trade for over thirty years and his body of work includes poetry, short stories, novels, anthologies and even some music compositions. The influence of his Abenaki Indian heritage gives his work a unique flavor and provides his audiences with an educational and interesting experience.
The day will close with a performance by the nationally acclaimed musicians Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn. Dan received the 1998 Parents Choice Approval Award for his CD, The Pieces of Our Life. He is skilled on the hammered dulcimer and the flat picking guitar and has released many albums that combine traditional songs with his own original compositions. Peggy Lynn is known as “The First Lady of Adirondack Music” and is recognized nationwide for her songwriting skill and vocal versatility. Her work has been featured at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN and she was honored as the “Adirondack Woman of the Year” in 1996. Peggy and Dan have collaborated on projects such as A Stitch in Time, an album featuring songs that celebrate the art and heritage of quilting. Working together, they combine traditional repertoire of the Adirondacks with their own musical flare, often creating new and exciting arrangements. Besides their performance at the festival, Peggy and Dan will co-lead a storytelling workshop for families at 11am.
The festival will also feature craft sales and artist demos, children’s activities, an exhibit by the Town of Webb Historical Association and performances by storytellers Fran Yardley and Bill Smith.
The Adirondack Storytelling Festival will be held at McCauley Mountain Ski Area from 10am-4pm on Saturday July 24th. Adult admission is $5; children 16 and under are free.
McCauley Mountain Ski Area is located at 100 McCauley Mountain Rd in Old Forge.
For more information call 315-369-6008 or email info@OldForgeNy.com.
–Chelsea Slosberg is an Assistant Editor of The Free George.
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