Fall Music Festival Returns to Fern Hollow

Music lovers will not want to miss Fern Hollow Nature Center's annual Fall Music Festival on Saturday, one of its biggest fundraisers for environmental education. 

"Unfortunately our sponsorships are down this year so we are hoping for a record turnout," said Sam  Capezzuto, executive director at Fern Hollow. 

Those in attendance will be moving to the beat and soaking in the sounds of four musical acts. The festival runs from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with doors opening at 2:30.

"We have a great line up for Saturday and the weather looks like it is going to be a beautiful day," Capezzuto said.

Music for the day includes The Redwood Trio, Leap of Faith, The Turpentiners, and local band Priest, Sage, Rock, and Soul. Prior to the bands will be an open mic session, allowing a showcase of talent.

In addition to music, there will also be tons of children activities including a "hamster ball", U-launcher Angry Bird Game, scavenger hunt, face painting and other activities. 

And what's a music festival without food? The event will have lots of food available for purchase including . , and B Gourmet serving a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and pasta salad.   

 Families are welcome to bring a picnic. The event is BYOB.

Money raised from the music festival goes directly toward programming. 

"Hopefully next year we will be able to do even more with the local schools and family programming to reach even more and help children discover a world of wonder--nature," Capezzuto said.

Last year, Fern Hollow was able to do the following:

• Added geology programs for fourth graders and sixth graders;
• Presented a one-day watershed/team building program for campers from across the U.S. and Germany attending Bayer Corp.’s Sustainability Camp;
• Hired two part-time educators to help naturalist April Claus with more than 60 school programs serving 3,200 students and 50 family programs serving more than 2,500 people;
• Offered a free weekly play date in the Natural Outdoor Classroom, the first “Natural Play Area” in Pennsylvania and already had more than 300 children participate this summer and are continuing the program during the fall.
• Partnered with The Watson Institute, School of Autism from Presley Ridge, and Quaker Valley’s Learning Support program for children and adults with learning and physical disabilities to engage them with nature in the community garden and with other projects around the Nature Center; to name just a few. 

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