Members of the community were thoroughly entertained by the Lickety Split Banjo Boys at the Appalachian Festival on Saturday. The band performed on the Sowers Stage in Frostburg State University’s Upper Quad. The four members of the band, Fred Revell, Frankie Revell, Dennis Crolley, and Uncle Junior, took the stage at 10:30 on the crisp, sunny morning. The performance had a dominate bluegrass theme that overpowered all the other musical groups at that time and drew in the one of the largest crowds of the morning performances. In addition to occupying listeners with their music, the Lickety Split Banjo Boys added humor to their routine. When the vocalist, Frankie Revell, inquired that the technicians must have fixed the microphone, Dennis Crolley jokingly said “now they need to work on your head.” It is evident that the audience enjoyed the band’s performance by their foot tapping, laughter, and applause after each song. Some fans even swayed with the music and verbally cheered for some songs. Leatrice Becker, a returning visitor of the Appalachian Festival, had never heard the Lickety Split Banjo Boys before and said, “I usually don’t like bluegrass, but they’re really good.” Many audience members particularly enjoyed when Frankie Revell played his banjo behind his head.
The rest of the festival was filled with lively musicians, talented artisans, educational displays, and informational presentations. Several tents were set up across the Upper Quad that housed all the participants of the Appalachian Festival open for visitors to leisurely wonder about. While walking around the grounds, visitors had a variety of different foods to choose from. Some found it hard to decide between the smell of the wood burning pot of apple butter from Sam Beachy & Sons Cider Mill, the scent of crab cakes from Jearbryo’s, or the whiff of relish on the hot dogs from Brian’s Old Fashioned Hot Dog Stand that all lingered in the air. They were also subjected to the sight of all the baked goods from Sugar & Spice Bakery and Cheese. Those with a sweet tooth couldn’t resist trying the delicious, autumn leaf sugar cookies and peanut butter fudge squares. After being exposed to a mixture of smells and tastes, visitors were torn between what they could hear. Sounds from two, sometimes three, different areas acted as a tug of war rope for some, drawing people in from each direction.
The Appalachian Festival is a growing tradition in the Frostburg community that holds a great value to society. In addition to allowing Frostburg State University students to get acquainted with their surrounding community, it is an opportunity for the community to support its own members and grow through togetherness. It was difficult for visitors to walk through the Upper Quad and not spot one of their friends walking among the festival. Activities such as the Appalachian Festival are the key to keeping small communities spirited. Not only can the community members support each other, they can take a break from their sometimes hectic lives. Relaxing at the Appalachian Festival on the gorgeous autumn day came to be a great stress reliever and a chance to spend time with family and friends. The Appalachian Festival was a very important event for most members of our community and many cannot wait for next year’s festivities.
The rest of the festival was filled with lively musicians, talented artisans, educational displays, and informational presentations. Several tents were set up across the Upper Quad that housed all the participants of the Appalachian Festival open for visitors to leisurely wonder about. While walking around the grounds, visitors had a variety of different foods to choose from. Some found it hard to decide between the smell of the wood burning pot of apple butter from Sam Beachy & Sons Cider Mill, the scent of crab cakes from Jearbryo’s, or the whiff of relish on the hot dogs from Brian’s Old Fashioned Hot Dog Stand that all lingered in the air. They were also subjected to the sight of all the baked goods from Sugar & Spice Bakery and Cheese. Those with a sweet tooth couldn’t resist trying the delicious, autumn leaf sugar cookies and peanut butter fudge squares. After being exposed to a mixture of smells and tastes, visitors were torn between what they could hear. Sounds from two, sometimes three, different areas acted as a tug of war rope for some, drawing people in from each direction.
The Appalachian Festival is a growing tradition in the Frostburg community that holds a great value to society. In addition to allowing Frostburg State University students to get acquainted with their surrounding community, it is an opportunity for the community to support its own members and grow through togetherness. It was difficult for visitors to walk through the Upper Quad and not spot one of their friends walking among the festival. Activities such as the Appalachian Festival are the key to keeping small communities spirited. Not only can the community members support each other, they can take a break from their sometimes hectic lives. Relaxing at the Appalachian Festival on the gorgeous autumn day came to be a great stress reliever and a chance to spend time with family and friends. The Appalachian Festival was a very important event for most members of our community and many cannot wait for next year’s festivities.
By Ashley Swinford
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