Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
The beat will go on ... but not until next year
The Riverhawk Music Festival, a smorgasbord for the whole family, marks another success.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published November 15, 2006
For Bonnie and Tom Levett, the hardest thing about the Riverhawk Music Festival was leaving. As they carefully folded their tent and packed the last of their camping gear into their SUV on Sunday, the couple recounted a lovely weekend spent listening to great music and sleeping beneath the stars. "Makes you not look forward to Monday," said Tom Levett as he fed the last of the morning's breakfast to his dog Sophie. "I could easily spend a week here." More than 2,800 fans streamed into Brooksville's Sertoma Youth Ranch for the four-day event, which began Thursday. Though devoid of "big name" acts, fans got to hear a diverse menu of music ranging from folk and bluegrass to reggae and acoustic alternative rock. "It's really a melting pot," said promoter Mitch Lind. "We try to mix it up and give people a little bit of everything. It's worked out real well." Music flowed continuously from four stages. The intimate jam shack stage played host to folk musicians Mark Johnson, Bob Rafkin, and even a mandolin jam session. The main stage, located in a cow pasture, featured headliners Robin and Linda Williams, the Claire Lynch Band and Paul Thorn. Though music was the big draw, the festival offered plenty more to see and do. Free workshops were offered for amateur musicians to pick up a tip or two from professionals, and those missing their daily yoga ritual could take part in a morning session at one of the small stages. A "kids zone" offered youngsters games, puppet shows, storytelling sessions, even a flea circus. The family-friendly atmosphere is what brought Sarasota resident Tory Vaughn and her 11-year-old twin girls back to the festival for the fourth year in a row. "There aren't too many things that we can all tolerate together," Vaughn said. "They like the music, but it's more just being around nice people and enjoying the atmosphere." Logan Neill can be reached at 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com.
[Last modified November 15, 2006, 07:13:31]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
