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Message BLUEGRASS FESTIVALBLUEGRASS FESTIVALTHREEGREAT BANDS!G Rockwell TrioEugene Tyler BandCole Quest& The City PickersFOHH.ORGFOHH.ORGSPONSORED BYFRIENDS OF HARMONY HALL PRESENTANNUAL HIGHLANDSANNUAL HIGHLANDS15th15thHARMONY HALL-JACOB SLOAT HOUSEHARMONY HALL-JACOB SLOAT HOUSE15 LIBERTY ROCK RD, SLOATSBURG, NY15 LIBERTY ROCK RD, SLOATSBURG, NYCRAFT & FOODVENDORS ON THEGREAT LAWN!BRING LAWN CHAIRS.SUNDAYSEPT 7,1-5pmRain or ShinePartners in Preservationwith the Town of Ramapo

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G Rockwell Trio - 1:00pm-2:05pmG is an award winning multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, andband leader. Described by Tony Trischka as “an up and coming banjoistwho’s already accomplished an awful lot musically speaking.”grockwellmusic.comPROGRAMWelcome to our 15th Annual Highlands Bluegrass Festival!Enjoy food, beverages, craft vendors and fantastic live Bluegrass musicall on the Great Lawn of Harmony Hall~Jacob Sloat House!MUSIC LINE UPCole Quest and The City Pickers - 3:50-5:00PMWe welcome back CQCP for the fourth time! The NYC bluegrass pickers,led by Cole Quest, grandson of folk icon Woodie Guthrie, will be spreadin’the good word of acoustic roots music.colequest.comTHANK YOU!Your festival admission will go towards the restoration andpreservation project of Harmony Hall - Jacob Sloat House.Valley Rock Inn, CORE Building Materials, Town of Ramapo,and Rockland County Tourism. SPONSORSACTIVITIESKids Activity with Nanette HardimanEugene Tyler Band - 2:25-3:30PMThe Indie Bluegrass trio band from New York’s Hudson Valley (and local to us) returns for the fifth time! Free-wheeling, intense, cathartic, and irreverent song-writing has won them fans all over the country. eugenetylerband.com50/50 Raffles at our Friends of Harmony Hall Tent orlook for our volunteers walking around selling tickets. Intermission 2:05 - 2:25PM Visit Vendors, Purchase 50/50 RafflesIntermission 3:30 - 3:50PM Visit Vendors, Purchase 50/50 RafflesSound Production by Moore Productions763 Susquehanna Ave, Franklin Lakes, NJmoore.productions.com

VENDORS & EXHIBITORSFOOD VENDORSMama Lorusso’s Mobil PizzaDefiant Brewery2 Dogs Hot DogsMaillardRockland Cider WorksFriends of Harmony Hall Wine TentGrateful Daze BoutiqueRound Lake PotteryJewel BuddiesMoonfeathers JewelryFringe Benefits JewelryILUV SucculentsHandmade by Jess & JackyNature Waltz PhotosTita’s TotesSunrunMothredzScott Scarpelli ArtEarth’s Natural HealingNanette Hardiman CreationsFriends of Harmony Hall Reception Tent- Cider and Donuts for saleMany thanks to Auntie El’s Farm Market & Bakeryfor donating cider donuts!

Rockland County is your gateway to the wonders of the Hudson Valley.Magnificent views, soulful hikes, charming hospitality, award-winningcuisine, unique entertainment, and rich history - Rockland Countyoffers the best of the Hudson Valley while celebrating thevibrance and diversity of New York State.The Hudson Valley starts here.www.explorerocklandny.comEXPLORERocklandCounty

FIFTEEN YEARS OF THE HIGHLANDSFRIENDS OF HARMONY HALL-JACOB SLOAT HOUSEBY GEOFF WELCH, FOHH CURATOR 2004-2024In 2010, I suggested bluegrass music as an acoustic, musically-skilled, family-friendly genre that would be presented on the spacious great lawn of Harmony Hall. The Board of Directors of Friends of Harmony Hall all agreed, as did the Town of Ramapo, and so, the Highlands Bluegrass Festival launched on September 19, 2010, blessed with perfect weather and great music!Proud FleshFeatured were Carol Beaugard & The Blue Express, one of the Hudson Valley’s premiere bluegrass bands and Proud Flesh, a young band specializing in progressive bluegrass/folk-rock music with fine songwriting as well as traditional tunes. The 3rd band at the festival was Ramapo Torne Ramblers, specializing in the Appalachian Mountain, old-time music roots of bluegrass.Carol Beaugard & The Blue ExpressBLUEGRASS FESTIVAL!

2011Our second annual Highlands Bluegrass Festival, (with a stage set up on the south side of the lawn) headlined Mama Tried, from the middle Hudson Valley, who performed a very fine set. 2011 also marked the first appearance of our Friends of Harmony Hall Bluegrass Chicken on stage!2012The very talented Sue Cunningham Band made her first appearance at the Highlands Bluegrass Festival on Sunday, September 9, 2012. People also enjoyed watching conservator Kenneth Jay Linsner as he worked to restore a nineteenth century chandelier in the Parlor of Harmony Hall (1848).Mama Tried (with the FOHH Bluegrass Chicken)Sue Cunningham

2014Sue Cunningham, who was scheduled to play, sadly became ill days before the festival. In her place, Jeff Scroggins was able to step in with a fine group of friends who performed with him. The rest of the music lineup: Dogs Like Us, The Ebony Hillbillies, and Mara Levine.2013The 4th Highlands Bluegrass festival drew the largest attendance yet on a beautiful afternoon in the Ramapo Valley. Sue Cunningham returned and sat in with the melodious Danny Shipe Band. Mama Tried, also returned that year and played a marvelous, inspired set.Then the headlining Rowan Cunningham Band, which combined brothers Chris and Loren Rowan (younger brothers of Peter Rowan) with the great fiddle playing and singing of the late Sue Cunningham, dazzled past our high expectations with soaring vocal harmonies and flowing instrumental performances. A highly entertaining show that was wondrous!Rown-Cunningham BandThe Ebony Hillbillies

2016Jeff Scroggins returned with his exciting touring band Colorado to headline the festival. His talented young son Tristan was featured on mandolin. The set included fast picking exchanges between father and son.2015The 2015 Festival was in Memorial of Sue Cunningham who passed away in March, 2015. Headlining was award-winning Jeff Scroggins on Banjo. 2015, also featured The Moonshine Creek Bluegrass Band and Dogs Like Us - a very entertaining lineup!Jeff ScrogginsThe Shady Gove Band with Eric Escoffrey performed a special tribute to the wonderful collaboration that was held between the great mandolin player David Grisman and the late Jerry Garcia back in 1991.Jeff Scroggins & ColoradoShady Grove & Eric Escoffrey

2017Our biggest crowd in attendance yet - with the line-up led by Tony Trischka! Appearing with Tony were two young bluegrass stars, violinist Alex Hargreaves and Dominick Leslie on mandolin and vocals. Perfect weather added to the musical pleasures!Harmony Hall - Jacob Sloat House Great LawnTony TrischkaAlex HargreavesDominick Leslie

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2018The opening set in 2018 with Moonshine Falls involved some fine music making. Joining Tony Trischka was Larry Cook on bass/mandolin and vocals and Michael Daves on guitar and vocals for an excellent, energized set. Tony also joined in for a fewIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic, live events venues around the world closed to prevent the spread of infection. Your ongoing support has made it possible for The Friends of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House to continue its mission to raise funding for the restoration of this National Register of Historic Places site and to plan ahead for the return of this highly anticipated annual festival here in Sloatsburg, NY.Michael Daves, Larry Cook & Tony Trischka2019The Tenth Anniversary Festival in 2019 occurred on a perfect September day. The crisp air, brilliant sunshine, the sound of the lively bluegrass music, and people spread over the Harmony Hall's Great Lawn enjoying themselves - it was transcendent!!! This was the first appearance of the Eugene Tyler Band, and they performed a great set of music to start the festival.Midway through the festival, the music was taken over by Moonshine Falls with a fine set of bluegrass entertainment. They were followed by Blue Plate Special whose varied musical moods and instrumentation are indeed special! The largest audience of any of our festivals attended.songs with Blue Plate Special who did a wonderful set to close the festival.Eugene Tyler Band2020

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2021With the return of the festival in 2021 we were greeted by a beautiful day, a record attendance and terrific music. After a great opening set by the heralded Rockland County trio, the Eugene Tyler Band, and a charming performance by Blue Plate Special, Cole Quest and the City Pickers gave a fine closing performance topped off with This Land is Your Land composed by Coles grandfather, Woody Guthrie.Eugene Tyler BandCole Quest &The City Pickers

The Friends of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House are dedicated to the preservation of the Jacob Sloat House 1848 and the design and support of cultural, historical, and environmental programs that capitalize on this exciting preservation effort to promote the rich and varied resources of the historical Ramapo Pass and Highlands region.FRIENDS OF HARMONY HALLMISSION

2022The ardent 2022 festivalgoers were not deterred by intervals of light rain showers. The festival commenced with a moment of silence to commemorate 9/11 followed by Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht’s poignant but uplifting words, “You know today is 9/11 and it’s appropriate that we remember the lives lost that day. But it’s more than appropriate and a great way to celebrate the spirit of America and to show that the terrorists of 9/11 did not win that day. They didn’t crush America’s spirit; they didn’t stop us from being who we are. As we sit here, we are about to listen to a festival of American music, a music that’s called great Americana music, music that has its roots in the United States. So, I want to ask everyone to have a great time and just really enjoy yourselves today.”… and that’s just what everyone did.With the Showmobile roof protecting the musicians and their instruments, the upbeat bluegrass music enveloped the Great Lawn. An array of colorful umbrellas, tents, and rain garb across the Great Lawn brightened the day. Many indomitable and enthusiastic members of the audience danced to the fabulous music. A spirit of adventure and fun was present with a perfect musical score.

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2023Heavy morning rain did not discourage loyal Bluegrass fans from attending our 2023 Highland’s Bluegrass Music & Crafts Festival held on Sunday, September 10th. Except for a slight drizzle at the very beginning of the concert, they were rewarded with several hours of truly excellent musical performances and a dry day. It may have been grayish up above, but the colorfully clad concertgoers tapped to the beat of four great bands while enjoying the food, drinks, and crafts provided by local vendors. Weather is always a challenge when you plan an outdoor event, and we are exceedingly grateful to all those who supported the Friends of Harmony Hall by coming out despite it.Hudson Crossing

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This year’s event was marked with poignancy without Geoff’s presence, who launched the annual Highlands Bluegrass Festival in 2010. Geoff procured the musical talent each year including this year’s festival. We welcomed back Hudson Crossing and Blue Plate Special and making their debut to Harmony Hall was Serene Green from Pennsylvania. Each band delivered beautiful harmonies and foot-stompin’ tunes in the deeply rooted American tradition while showcasing their original compositions and uniqueness. Jay Friedman’s Blue Plate Special dedicated their set to “a friend of Harmony Hall - Geoff Welch, a board member who we are remembering today because he really had the vision to create this festival. So, we’re here because of Geoff Welch. So, think of him today, on this beautiful day.”The colorful metal Bluegrass rooster looking on from the stage was placed there by festival organizer Kathy Goldman. It is a whimsical and playful tradition started by Geoff that will surely be carried on each year. This year, the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association was an excellent addition, with president and musician David Chernack setting up an open jamming area by the mansion. First-time visitor to Harmony Hall Kath Oliver of Ridgewood, NJ, who has organized many years of jazz festivals for Ridgewood, commented, “The day turned out to have blue skies and a feel-good vibe. I hope to come back for more fabulous music in the future on the amazing historical grounds of Harmony Hall.”2024This year's bluegrass festival was met with spectacular weather after two years of rainy skies. Perhaps the spirit of Geoff Welch, our dear board member who passed away two months prior on June 15, put in a good word to the festival gods.Serene Green

Single - $25Family - $40Senior - $15Patron - $50Centurion - $100Benefactor - $500FOHH MEMBERSHIP LEVELSINVEST IN THE PAST AND IN THE FUTURE- BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!Friends of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House Board Membersare present at our events and happy to assist or you can go towww.fohh.org and pay for your membership online.Thank You!

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Andrea LaMantiaPresidentFRIENDS OF HARMONY HALLBOARD OF TRUSTEESBarbara BerntsenVice PresidentMarianne CarrollFinancial SecretaryStephanie SiricoRecording SecretaryJane KralTreasurerPeter BushTrustee / Sloat DescendantKatheryn GoldmanTrusteeAlison HarveyTrusteeKenneth J. LinsnerTrustee

This project was made possible by the following grantors: $100,000 in memory of longtime Rockland County residents Joan K. and Ray E. Stout, Jr., $25,000 grant from the Preservations League of New York, and a $20,000 donation from The Goldstein Family Foundation as well as the generosity of patrons and members like you, who attend our music festivals and fundraising events.HARMONY HALL FRONT PORCH REHABILITATION IS UNDERWAY!Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House is the only historic site in Rockland County run by an all-volunteer group, actively producing year-round programs while preserving and restoring this 1848 mansion. This impressive and respectful historic restoration will provide the Friends with additional event production options and a place of enjoy-ment and repose for village residents and regional guests.The most significant historic preservation project is finally underway at Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House. Fundraising for the critical front porch project has been ongo-ing for two decades! The Friends of Harmony Hall is thrilled to realize the mobilization of this vital and dramatic project.The expansive front porch is a key architectural feature of Jacob Sloat’s 1848 home-stead, as shown in archival photographs. The porch was designed as a spacious outdoor living area and serves as the most striking exterior element—floor-to-ceiling windows facing the porch open directly onto it, creating seamless access. Ten impres-sive columns support the porch roof, resting on attractive brick piers. Two columns at the north end of the porch were removed in the 20th century to add a bump-out to the house, but these columns will be recreated. Additional design details included lattice inserts between each brick pier and two large trellis structures flanking the stairs. The porch rehabilitation is scheduled for completion by fall 2025. William Friedlich of Hudson View Construction is overseeing the work.Harmony Hall, 1850Restoration Plan

The FOHH Board of Trusteesthank all of our fabulous volunteers from the bottom of our hearts!Tori AlbrechtMarc BittermanJackie ClagettKat & Ian DiamondTom DodrillJim EllingBill GreeneSteve, Sam, Bill, Jayne, Chris GoldmanSteve HarveyBeverly & Steven HuffGreg KatkowskiEd MakishReena MancusoMary MulliganMonica MurrayCaryl NewfeldKathy RouseUrsula Gomez SanchezDennis TrotterKelly Zabel