Powered on sunshine: Arcadia Folk Festival returns to Easthampton on Aug. 23

By Grace Chai

What happens when you walk too far into the woods? If you’re walking on a trail at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary next weekend, you might be met with music in an intimate setting.

The Arcadia Folk Festival, which is organized by Signature Sounds in collaboration with Mass Audubon, will return for the seventh time in Easthampton on Aug. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The outdoor music festival will feature 16 artists, including Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band and Amy Helm, and will benefit Mass Audubon’s mission of habitat protection, nature education and environmental advocacy.

The Aug. 23 performances will be preceded by an evening show at the Academy of Music in Northampton at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 — a new addition to Arcadia’s programming as of last year. The concert, titled “The Back Porch Songwriter Series,” explores Bob Dylan and the Band’s late ’60s collaboration, “The Basement Tapes.” Among the nine artists performing at this event are The Deep River Ramblers and Cloudbelly.

“Funds raised support the nature of Massachusetts, an additional step that this event has [taken] towards sustainability,” said Jonah Keane, the Mass Audubon lead for the festival, who added that the event is special for its commitment to sustainability and great live music in nature.

According to Keane, the festival started off as an “experiment” celebrating Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary’s 75th anniversary, but quickly became so successful that they continued it annually.

According to a press release by the festival, all electricity will be solar powered by on-site solar arrays, and the event is zero-waste. There will be six food vendors selling plant-based food, including Holyoke Hummus and Vegan Pizza Land, as well as two dessert vendors, All Things Maple and Crooked Stick Pops. Abandoned Building Brewery and Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee will also be selling beverages at the event.

Keane says that the menu aims to introduce people to tasty plant-based food and raise awareness about the impact one’s diet can have on the environment.

“We work to make [the festival] a model event for sustainability,” said Keane.

Makers Market craft vendors will be making work inspired by nature or environmentally friendly or upcycled art. The festival will also be presenting a kids band, Little Roots, at its “In the Woods” stage as part of its activities for younger festivalgoers, which also include nature themed crafts.

Keane added that it is crucial for people to be able to gather for large community events like music festivals while having a positive impact on the planet.

“It’s important for the community to come together, to be together,” he said.

The full lineup for the festival, vendors and tickets can be found at arcadiafolkfest.com.