I played Bob Dylan on the way to this year’s second annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival. I felt it was a decent way to get my soul ready for the day that awaited me in that magical, green pocket of Mt. Solon. When I parked and stepped out of my car to a distant harmonica chirp being carried through the trees with the mountain breeze, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m baaaaaack. Finally. I slung my camera around my neck, grabbed my cash and i.d. and followed the tunes. It led me straight to the Shenandoah Mountain stage where Charlottesville’s The Honey Dewdrops were mid-set. Sadly, I missed the Walking Roots Band all together because I got distracted by the awesome kids activities that Larkin Arts offered this year. They’ve really evolved with the festival and is one of the many ways the whole experience, that was already dang awesome, got even better. 

Artery’s blank canvas awaits hundreds of children and adult artists to leave their mark.

I spy a Judy Chop!

Peyton Tochterman takes on the crowd at South Stage.

#redwingselfie

WNRN volunteers were there and happy about it!

Old Hill Cider was my go-to when the sun heated up Day 1.

I was particularly excited to see the performance by Many Nights Ahead. Amy, the lead gal, is my former art student and I’ve been trying to catch them live since they started playing. I let myself indulge in photos of these guys. They’re awesome and I felt so proud of them!

I left the Local Roots Stage to take on what I feel is the most difficult part of the festival: deciding what to eat. There were so many goooood and local choices of festie cuisine available. Luckily I have friends that share so we ordered a bunch of food and taste-tested all of it!

A Harrisonburg TRUCKS staple: Grilled Cheese Mania.

Sexi-Mexi…oh God. Straight from my other favorite ‘burg: Strasburg, VA!

David Wax Museum and that sweet sounding jaw bone gets the crowd moving at South Stage!The Hackensaw Boys

After witnessing all that is Pokey LaFarge last year, I could hardly wait to see him again. And I wasn’t alone. The crowd quickly migrated to the Shenandoah Mountain Stage, ready to shake a thang or two.

Also:
Dearest Pokey,
I love all of your faces. Every. Single. One.
Love, Brandy
P.S. I’m glad the watermelon didn’t hit me in the face. 

Night came and The Duhks took the stage. I was ready to take a long nap and prepare for Day 2.

Don’t miss my photos from Red Wing Roots II: Day 2!

Check out an excellent writeup and MORE of my photos from Red Wing Roots 2014 on ilovemyburg!

This post is part of my year long series Celebrating Life.

Check out my posts from last year: Red Wing Roots Music Festival 2013! Day 1, Day 2, & Day 3.