Shared by Penny Parson, Director of Public Relations, Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment, as Guest Blogger.

Festival Features Local Craft Brewers and Performance By Blues Traveler

On Saturday, October 5, 2013 the Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment is pleased to present the Second Annual Virginia Hops & Harvest Festival at Pocahontas State Park. The Virginia Hops & Harvest Festival is a daylong celebration of Virginia's bounty, featuring local artisans, craft brewers, food vendors, and outdoor adventure companies, in the beautiful setting of Virginia's largest state park.  The “jam-packed” day of music will feature Blues Traveler, special guest Donna The Buffalo, and Virginia favorites The Paul Plumeri Blues Band and Dallas Wesley.  Featured Virginia craft beers include Three Brothers, Apocalypse, Bold Rock, Center of the Universe, Devils Backbone, Extra Billy’s, Hardywood, Isley Brewing, Legends, Midnight Brewing, Lickinghole Creek, O’Conner, Rusty Beaver, Starr Hill and Strange Ways.

Blues-Rock band, Blues Traveler will kick off the Second Annual Hops & Harvest Festival
at Pocahontas State Park.

Blues Traveler’s trademark sound has been electrifying fans around the world, to the tune of approximately 30 million people and upwards of 6,000 live shows over the band’s 25 year history.  The band’s road to posterity took them from the burbs of Jersey to NYC in the late ’80s, where they became part of a jam-band scene and shared bills with groups like Spin Doctors and Phish, founding the Horde festival and pioneering the subsequent movement of neo-hippie jam music.  Blues Traveler’s live reputation led to a deal with A&M Records, and their 1990 self-titled debut eventually went gold simultaneously with the album Four.  Beyond the commercial success of their recordings, which have sold in excess of 13 million units worldwide, Blues Traveler is known for the extensive use of segues, multiple song mash-ups, and extended instrumental jams in their live performances.  The band’s sound is a hybrid vibe that draws from blues-rock, psychedelic rock, folk rock, soul, and Southern Rock.  With its instantly infectious, musically expansive 11th studio album, Suzie Cracks The Whip, the band celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.  Blues Traveler - John Popper (vocals, harmonica), Chan Kinchla (guitars), Tad Kinchla (bass), Ben Wilson (keyboards), and Brendan Hill (drums, percussion) - still keeps up an amazing touring pace of around 250 shows per year.  As one of their more notable EPs states, they are likely, for all intents and purposes, on tour forever.  

Donna the Buffalo will also perform at the Hops & Harvest Festival

Closing in on the quarter-century mark, Donna the Buffalo has developed one of most respected ‘brands’ in the world of touring roots acts, along with a well-deserved reputation for crafting social narratives and danceable grooves without equal. With nine studio albums under its belt, the band has  “earned a reputation as one of the most respected, eclectic and hardest-working acts today” (Encore). Led by founding members and songwriter-vocalists Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins, Donna the Buffalo marries musical trailblazing and tradition, running the gamut of what is defined as “roots music.”  Throughout its career the group has traveled millions of miles, performing at the country’s most prestigious festivals and clubs. Its fervent fan base, nicknamed “The Herd,” follows the band with zeal and has created a unique and supportive community online and at DTB shows across the nation.  On June 18, 2013, Donna the Buffalo released its 10th studio album, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, via Sugar Hill Records.

Dallas Wesley will make his second appearance at the Hops & Harvest Festival

The VMRE is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to archive, sustain, and perpetuate roots-based American music, and to educate the public about central Virginia's rich musical heritage.   The VMRE's concert series features a wide variety of great music at several different venues in the Richmond area.  Among the artists who have performed are Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Dark Star Orchestra, Darius Rucker, Foreigner, ZZ Top, Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins, and Lee Brice.  In addition, The VMRE works closely with Virginia State Parks and with The Virginia Association for Parks to develop educational programs for youth.  To learn more about The VMRE's mission and programs, click here.  For more information, contact VMRE Executive Director Chris Gowin at 804-678-8013 or by email.

Tickets are $16.50 advance, $20 at the gate (beer tastings not included in cost of  (admission).  Must be at least 21 years old with a valid drivers license in order to consume alcohol. Gates open at 12 p.m.; music begins at 1:30 p.m.  For tickets, information, and directions, click here. Tickets are also available at the Pocahontas State Park office, at all Capital Ale House locations in Richmond, at Brock’s Barbeque on Ironbridge Road in Chester, or by calling 804-794-6700.

Pocahontas State Park is located at 10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield, VA.   Pocahontas State Park is just a few miles southeast of Richmond, and is easily accessible from Highway 360 or Interstate 95.