Both avid music fans, Eric and Jill Dash began attending the annual GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance in New York’s Finger Lakes region near Ithaca 15 years ago. Falling in love with this festival and the sense of connectivity and community they experienced, the idea of starting their own similar music festival experience began to grow. After purchasing the fifth generation Winkelblech family farm near Woodward, PA in 2022, Eric and Jill have been busily restoring the property, and organized and staged the first Another World Music Festival in 2023.
This year’s Another World Music Festival takes place from Friday, September 13th through Sunday, September 15th at the farm’s Winkelblech Fields, 1104 Pine Creek Road in Woodward, with more than 35 bands and artists performing on two stages over three days. Performer set start times will be staggered between both stages, providing continuous music throughout the festival. The music will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
The performer lineup includes a mix of established traveling groups and popular central PA talent. Some of the more noteworthy names this year include Donna The Buffalo, the Sim Redmond Band, Driftwood, Maddy Walsh & the Blind Spots, Chicken Tractor Deluxe and Yam Yam. Notable regional names appearing at the festival include Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s, Adam & the Armadillos, Chris Bell Band, Miss Melanie, The Jaded Lips, The PennSoulvanians, Ma’aM, Mysterytrain, Blue Junction Transit, Nick Miller Project, Anchor & Arrow, The Sorters, Astral Shakedown, Kevin Briggs Blues Experience, The Sure Shots, Caledonia and others.
According to Eric, the festival will feature a “broad spectrum” of music, with flavors including Americana, roots, zydeco, indie and classic rock, reggae, rockabilly, soul, jam band, hip-hop, country and more…Something for everyone!
Vendors will be part of the festival, and will include various art and clothing vendors, food and refreshment vendors, and several area breweries and wineries will have their creations available as well. Vendors are still being accepted for this year’s festival, and may inquire by emailing through the event’s website, www.anotherworldmusicfestival.org, as well as through the festival’s social media via Facebook and Instagram.
Camping is permitted, and camping passes can be purchased, as well as spaces for RV’s and trailers.
Several fire rings will be set up around the festival grounds for people to gather; individual campfires are discouraged at this event. Since the site of the festival is a working farm with nearby farm animals, pets are not permitted for their safety and the safety of festival-goers.
Volunteers are still being accepted for the festival, and those interested in volunteering may also contact Eric through the festival’s website and social media outlets.
Eric’s objectives with the Another World Music Festival are to generate a pleasant environment where people can unwind and enjoy music…and each other. His inspiration is the music fans and culture he has experienced at events such as the GrassRoots Festival and the Great Blue Heron Festival in western New York. Eric envisions “the dream of bringing people together so we can rejuvenate our souls and enjoy each other’s company…and learn to talk to one another again.” He hopes the festival will provide the opportunity for “simplifying, slowing down, smelling the roses.”
According to the festival’s website, “Peace, love, and happiness to all….and most importantly, thank YOU for coming to the second annual Another World Music Festival in Woodward, Pennsylvania!”
“Our vision is to foster the growth of human connection through music, nature, culture, peace, love and happiness! We strive to be instrumental in creating a world for everyone to come together united as one human race.”
Another World Music Festival
Winkelblech Fields
1104 Pine Creek Road
Woodward, PA 16882
www.anotherworldmusicfestival.org
