Is there anything that personifies summer more than sitting on a lawn chair in the evening while listening to live music, perhaps indulging in some fair food while you're at it?
Rock the Farm, which returns to Anderson Farm Museum during July and August, is the perfect place to do just that. The Wednesday evening concert series has been running at the Lively venue for eight years now.
“It's all free, and people can get up and dance and have a wonderful time,” said Gwen Doyle, a member of the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society, which organizes the event.
In addition to an eclectic lineup of local musicians and bands — with performers including Chicks with Picks, Alain Lessard, The Almighty Rhombus and Fiddleworks — the event also has a youth component this year.
At several of the events, young people have been invited to showcase their talent before the headliners take the stage, as part of the Walden Has Talent program.
And on Aug. 31, youth have the evening to themselves, with a Youth Band Showcase (it's been changed to a showcase instead of a battle of the bands this year). Last year's winner, Pop Machine, will be the opening act.
The farmer's market component of Rock the Farm also returns this year, with 21 vendors set to sling hot food, fresh produce and many other products.
On July 6, the event includes a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Anderson Farm Museum barn. A cupcake cake in the shape of the barn will be provided by Create a Cake.
Learn more about Rock the Farm by searching for Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society on Facebook.
Here's the lineup:
July 6 – The Bluez Brotherz & The Notorious Funkmonsters Band, 6-8 p.m.
July 13 – The Northern All Stars Steel Pan Band, 6-8 p.m.
July 20 – Stephanie Fyfe, 6-7 p.m., Tom Fyfe & Whiskey River Blues Band, 7-8 p.m.
July 27 – Benham, 6-7 p.m., Chicks with Picks, 7-8 p.m.
Aug. 3 – Alain Lessard, 6-7 p.m., The Tremonics, 7-8 p.m.
Aug. 10 – D&A (Derek Craig and Alex Patterson from Wild Horses), 6-8 p.m.
Aug. 17 – Campana, 6-7 p.m., The Almighty Rhombus, 7-8 p.m.
Aug. 24 – Fiddleworks, 6-9 p.m.
Aug. 31 – Youth Band Showcase, 6-8 p.m.
