By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
Once again, individuals who have been impacted by domestic and/ or sexual violence will receive support through the generous and professional efforts of WISE that will receive the net proceeds of the upcoming Ottauquechee Musicfest this weekend.
For the third year in a row, the grassroots nonprofit organization — dedicated to ending gender-based violence through survivor-centered advocacy, prevention, education and mobilization for social change — will be the sole beneficiary of this artistic endeavor.
“The Musicfest is a fun event for anyone and everyone in our community,” said WISE Executive Director Peggy O’Neill. “There are smiles all around, and people are dancing on the lawn. For WISE, we are glad for the opportunity to raise so much awareness of our critical programs and services through this event.
Featuring a three-hour evening performance (at 6:30 p.m.) which includes the Drifters and the Platters, the musical event, along with some 40 vendors, begins Saturday at 11 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Some of the well known hits of these groups include “Up On The Roof,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “This Magic Moment,” “There Goes My Baby,” “Dance with Me,” “Spanish Harlem” and “Stand By Me.”
This year, the third annual Ottauquechee Musicfest has expanded to include an all day festival with food purveyors, Vermont brewers, ciders, spirits, and artisan crafts. Also throughout the day will be local musical talents including Jim Hollis, The Few Remaining, and Mark and Deb Bond.
The opening evening act is singer-songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Josh Logan, best known for his performances on the television shows “Rock Star: Supernova” and “The Voice.” With a genre of rock and blue-eyed soul, Logan has just released his new hit, “Good Time.”
Some of the many vendors at the all day festival include Havoc Mead, Donovan’s Food & Spirits, Pioneer Bean, Anon’s Thai, Wicked Awesome BBQ, Champlain Orchards, Whistle Pig, Anne Boisvert Pottery, Remarkable Blackbird, VT Moonlight Cookies, Jamboree, Shelburne Farm Cheese, Nutty Steph’s, The Whipping Queen, Silo Distillery, Elm Brook Farm Distillery, Tom Knows Salsa, Eden Ice Cider, Anne Clemins Jewelry, and Angry Goat Pepper.
“We’re a 532-acre maple sugar farm in East Fairfield,” said co-owner Lisa Howe. “We’ve researched and developed distilled spirits using only our pure maple sugar. Because barrel aged (dark) spirits are classified by their sugar source, using only maple sugar represents a new category of distilled spirits.”
At the WhiskeyPig Farm’s tent, visitors will find distilled rye grown in its own fields.
“You can expect to taste some of the finest whiskey in the known world,” said Larry Swanson, hospitality manager.
Established in 2010 by Raj Bhakta and former Maker’s Mark Master distiller Dave Pickerell, WhistlePig is based in Shoreham.
David McInnis is the owner of Wicked Awesome BBQ located in East Thetford.
“When you stop at our booth, you are in for the best barbecue in the Upper Valley, dry rubbed and slow smoked over hard woods for 12 hours, topped with a perfect amount of tangy barbecue sauce,” said McInnis. “You can’t beat my meat.”
Stained glass artist Rebecca O’Meara uses soldered foil and fused glass techniques in her artistic creations, some of which include suncatchers, large and small panels.
“I will also be selling maple products from Upland Maple a Venture we started three years ago,” said O’Meara. “Products include Vermont maple syrup, maple cream maple sugar and candy.”
Gone Walden makes WIDER guitar straps out of people, animal, and earth-friendly fabrics, according to owner Paul Gardner.
“It’s a new business, and this will be WIDER’s debut into the marketplace,” said Gardner. “The company started out of a need for a more comfortable strap. A musician created one for himself. People started asking the designer if he could make them one, and it’s grown from there.”
Tom Knows Salsa began in a small log cabin in the far reaches of Eden, when Tom Williams and his wife, Devon, embarked on a journey to create a robust, full-flavored salsa verde.
“We believe we have succeeded in reaching our goal,” said Devon. “It’s now produced by us in the Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick. To ensure its quality, it’s made in small batches using only fresh ingredients.”
Megan Donegan, director of sales and marketing of SILO Distillery, said the company produces artisanal craft spirits out of their distillery in Windsor.
“We’ll be providing tastings of our spirits for those 21 and older,” said Donegan. “This includes our latest release, SILO Solstice, a spirit distilled from UFO White Beer. Music fans can also enjoy our infused vodkas such as SILO Cucumber, made with hand peeled and sliced cucumbers. All of our spirits will also be available for purchase.
More than $10,000 of 100 percent of the net proceeds over the last two years has been donated to WISE, according to Quechee Club Marketing Director Alicia Baker. In 2014, the event raised $4,700 and last year, $4,500.
Sharin Luti, vice president of the WISE Board of Directors, is not only active with Quechee Lakes Landowners Association charities, the umbrella of the Quechee Club, but was instrumental in proposing support for WISE two years ago, according to Baker.
“The charity is dear to her heart,” said Baker.
WISE supports 21 towns in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont, including Woodstock, Quechee, Pomfret, Barnard, Bridgewater and Hartland. It has 88 trained volunteers and answers over 500 calls on its after-hours crisis line. The non-profit supports roughly 150 survivors of domestic and sexual violence and stalking each month, and teaches 400 classes K-12 students in 21 schools in 10 districts, according to O’Neil.
Concert ticket prices include admission to the all-day festival on the Green and the evening performance at Ski Quechee. QLLA Members $25 per person; nonmembers/ public $30 per person and students (with valid student ID), $10 per person. Admission $5 per person for the daytime event only. Children 6 and under are free.
Reserve tickets by emailing info@quecheeclub.com or call 295-9356.