{Sorry everyone for the delay on this week’s article.  I was struck with sickness after the show and wasn’t able to write anything until now.  Also, starting this upcoming weekend, because of my college schedule and homework, “Emer’s Mixtape Mondays” will be “Emer’s Mixtape Sundays” so I will be able to keep the articles coming every week.}

Every year in Middletown Springs, Vermont, there comes a time of great celebration called the Harvest Moon Festival.  Hundreds of people gather in unison for three days of camping, music, good beer, and amazing food.

The festival is decorated with hand picked flowers, amazing artwork from many talented personalities, and is accentuated by a huge bonfire that is built into a new (found) wood sculpture each year.  This year’s bonfire sculpture was a huge owl; not to mention years past included a turtle, frog, luna moth, and many other interesting creatures.  There is dancing, great memories, laughs, hula-hooping, and smiles as old friends meet up and talk about Harvest Moons’ past.

Harvest Moon Festival has an amazing history that you can find on their website www.bestharvestmoon.com.  In a nutshell, Harvest Moon planted their roots in Middletown Springs in October of 1993 with a one day musical buffet that started an annual jamboree that is now a huge three day celebration.  Seth Blackman, Tom O’Brian, and Tom Moon are the three jolly fellows that started this amazing celebration and are always looking to expand the good word of the Harvest Moon each year; by word of mouth, and a series of advertisements that people look forward to seeing around the state of Vermont each year (you can find past and present ads on their website).

I, Emer, am an annual “Harvest Mooner” and have enjoyed this amazing festival for 6 years now.  I have never had less than an amazing time and will always remember each years wonderful memories, including a great massage therapist named John Humphreys LMT that can be found at Asignature DaySpa in Rutland, VT (if you make it up next year ask around and find him).

Starting late Friday afternoon, the festival had 24 bands scheduled to play: JD and 6 Feet Deep, Wayne Surrell, VII, Thompson Gunner, Radish Band, Crazyhearse, Rick Reddington & the Luv, Squirrel Stew, Good With the Movie, Rick Reddington & Family, Bacon Doughnuts & Mayhem, two count, Cash is King, Minor Tribal Scuffles, Ed Crelin, George’s Back Pocket, Goldtowr, Nelson Landing, Jim Gilmour Band, The Dubois, Dank & the Funksticks, Schutefurmunde, Chuck Miller’s Jazz Brunch and ending with Paul Morgan’s Gospel on the Green to send everyone on their way on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to my wonderful photographer JWCC, we were able to cover the awesome weekend through a series of photos that will make any reader wish they didn’t miss this wonderfully titillating engagement.  This year we were joined by our two friends Krisheana, and Duke, and I have to say that they also had one hell of a great time.  So here it goes, I hope you enjoy our photo journal of the wonderful world of Harvest Moon Festival.

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