Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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They’ll be jamming at the Cove
By Mary Huntsberry
Special to The Winchester Star
Gore — The hills will be alive with the sound of music from April 17 through April 20 at the Cove Campground in Gore, during the second annual 420JamfestII music festival.
The camping and music event will feature hours and hours of live music played by 30 bands throughout the weekend, said Tom Anger of Green Door Arts, a promotion company based in Washington, D.C.
"It’s a musical experience to celebrate Earth Day," Anger said. The bands will play from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. April 17 and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. April 18 and 19 and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. April 20.
In addition to the live performances that will feature jam and bluegrass music, recorded music will be played during the band’s break times.
"Each set is about one and a half hours and then we will be playing recorded music to promote the bands," he said. "We have close to 30 per cent of returning bands this year."
420JamfestII music festival will be held April 17 to 20 at the Cove in Gore. The camping and music event will feature hours and hours of live music played by 30 bands throughout the weekend. (Photo provided by Jamfest II)
The musical entertainment will be presented rain or shine, Anger said.
Some of the bands that will appear at the festival include Juggling Suns, Zen, Laidback, Earthtone, Lucid, 3 Fifths, I*Ternals, Trees, Barefoot Wade, OnTheBus, The Magic Voyagers, Data Frogs, iRon Lion, Curious Strange, The Rez, Rushing Hayden, The Discordian Society, Feinwood, Drop Electric, ErthaN, Drymill Road, Future, Good Dog, Dr. What and Dar Stellabotta.
Bands scheduled to play April 17 include Flip Side Overdrive, Lucky Dub, Millpost Holler, and Soul Street Survivor.
Lagerhead, a band out of Winchester, will play songs from its recently-released CD, "Don’t Fear the Sumac," Anger said.
In addition to celebrating Earth Day, Anger said, that proceeds from this year’s festival would be used to benefit the Virginia Food Alliance.
"Project One is having a food drive that weekend," he said. "We are really trying to promote this as much as possible — This is a really important part of what we are doing."
Anger said that the success of last year’s event is the reason that they decided to do it again this year.
"It exceeded my expectations," Anger said. "We had 1,600 people come through last year."
Cove Campground owner and operator, Willis McDowell, said that the event is like a mini-Woodstock only tamer.
"It’s a very family-oriented atmosphere and no alcohol is sold," he said. "We get all kinds; some younger people, some older people, new age hippies, and older hippies."
McDowell said that 3,000-acre campground facility has a number of different areas that campers could choose from.
"We have 120 campsites spread out in eight different camping areas," McDowell said. "Most are rugged sites, but we do have some that are RV friendly with 25-30 having electric to them."
The campground does offer shower facilities and also has a camp store, selling firewood, ice, soft drinks, and other camping necessities.
In addition to the musical entertainment, McDowell said the campground guests could also hike and fish during their stay.
"We have miles of trails for hiking and although you can’t swim because the water will still be too cold, you could fish," McDowell said. "We have small and largemouth Bass, Channel Cat, black and white spotted Crappy, Northern Pike, and exceptionally yellow Perch plus a variety of Pan fish."
No fishing license is required because the lakes are on private property, McDowell said.
Anger said that he would have 20 or more employees working security at the festival.
"We do check people on the way in — there will be no weapons allowed," Anger said. "If there is a troublemaker, we do use our numbers to take them out of the venue. We had no problems last year because people were there to have fun — they’re not there to cause trouble."
There will also be a Red Cross station set up at the greeting tent, Anger said.
"And no alcohol is permitted and no kids without an adult," he said. "We will be checking IDs."
Those who wish to attend the event can purchase their 420Jamfest II tickets on line at 420Jamfest.com where they can prepay and print out an e-ticket. Tickets for sale online are $10 cheaper than those purchases at the campground, Anger said. There is also a link to the Project One Web site which has more information with regards to what kinds of foods could be brought for donation.
McDowell said that the camping fees are paid separately at the campground entrance and would be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The camping fees plus the 420JamfestII ticket costs cost approximately $50 per person, depending on when campers arrive.
More information and directions about the Cove Campground can be found at www.Covecampground.com or by calling 540-858-2882.
— Contact Mary Huntsberry at
news@winchesterstar.com