Briggs Farm Blues Festival has been a fixture in Nescopeck PA for over Twenty years. It’s not about the farm, it’s about the music. Richard Briggs knows great music and hand culls some of the nation’s best artists selling out shows around the country. Artists who are well known and respected by the people paying attention. Fans attend Briggs Farm every year knowing this. What has developed is a Blues family reunion for one special weekend in July. If you’ve never been, add it to your calendar. Briggs Farm Blues Festival will be July 11-14 2019 next year. Become part of the family.

This year the festival closed both nights with two of the most powerful soulful women, was it a theme? 2018, touted as the “Year of the Woman”, Brigg’s main stage hosted nothing but great music. With headlining artists Mike Farris and the Fortunate Few, Selwyn Birchwood, Vanessa Collier, The National Reserve, and more. The shining stars each night were Samantha Fish and Amy Helm who closed the festival stage Friday and Saturday nights. Intentional or not, the best artists won the top spot. It’s nice to see a festival place the emphasis on quality music. briggsfarm.com

Photos by Tina Pastor

Off setting the main stage, the “Back Porch Stage” hosted some fantastic regional acts in a shaded intimate setting. Some personal favorites include Dustin Arbuckle & the Damnations, who entertained with lyrically charged Roots Rock Americana. Ursula Ricks, whose deeply universal lyrics, soulful voice, and rocking band gave pause and got people dancing. MiZ, is a local favorite instrumentalist and songwriter. And Launch PAD, a band made up of Pappy Biondo, award-winning Anthony Hannigan, and Dylan Skursky (Justin Mazer joined in on Guitar). These are multi-instrumentalists who play in each other’s pocket and finish each other’s melodies.

For its dedication to the Blues, Briggs Farm Blues Festival received the “Keeping The Blues Alive” award in Memphis TN. An honor given to one festival each year. Congratulations to Briggs Farm. Once you attend Briggs, the festival knows you will return. It’s a family friendly picnic that hosts world-class music. Pack your tent and stay the weekend in a shaded million dollar view. Bring a friend or make some new ones. One thing is for certain, you’ll leave with a broad smile, perhaps a little sunburn, and a deeper appreciation of great music. See you next year.
– Viola