Come dance, drink, eat, and be merry – all to support the work of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance to “preserve the reserve"!
On Saturday, June 23, Madison Fields of Dickerson, Maryland, will come alive with enough music to satisfy the most ardent bluegrass fan. This year, not one but TWO bluegrass bands will have you dancing around and stomping your feet to the beat of their fiddles, guitars, and mandolins. A newcomer to the stage, “The 19th Street Band” is the winner of the Charm City Bluegrass Festival Battle of the Bands. And of course, the local bluegrass legends “The Eastman String Band” will be on stage as well. You’ll fall in love with their catchy lyrics, harmonious vocals, and high-octane energy on stage.
All that dancing is sure to make your tummy rumble, but have no fear, 3rd Alarm BBQ and Cipolla Rossa Pizzeria will be on hand to keep hunger at bay. And to wash down the delicious fare, Rockland’s Winery and The Waredaca Brewing Company will be pouring tasty wine and beer. For those looking to bring home a souvenir, local arts and crafts vendors will be onsite as well. You can even snag a comfy t-shirt ahead of the concert to show off your love for the Montgomery Countryside Alliance!
Tickets are on sale now and are available online only. Unfortunately, tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is family- (but not pet) friendly. So bring the kids, but Fido can stay behind and guard the castle. Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for children, and free for kids less than six years of age. For full information, visit the event’s website.
The feel-good part is that proceeds from the ticket sales and the event itself benefit the Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA) and help to “preserve the reserve.” What is this alliance and why does the reserve need preserving you ask? According to their website, the MCA is a nonprofit which aims to “promote sound economic, land-use and transportation policies that preserve the natural environment, open spaces and rural lands in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve for the benefit of all Washington Metropolitan area residents.”
Since 1980, the purpose of the Ag Reserve has been to maintain the northwestern part of Montgomery County as a place where farmers and their farms can thrive, while taking into consideration the inevitable residential and commercial development all around. The goal is to strike a balance and promote the education of future generations so that the green spaces can remain and grow as a living legacy.
Have you ever been to the Field & Fiddle Festival? What was your favorite part? Are you a member of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance? If so, how has it enriched your life? Please share with us in the comments section below!
