Salamanca, NY (Top40 Charts/ Bullpen PR) - Country
Music Stars Mark Wills, whose song '19 Somethin' is ranked No 2 Country Song of the Decade by Billboard Magazine and Josh Gracin, who continues to be one of American
Idols top-selling recording artists with over 700,000 albums sold, will headline as 'the Crazy White Boys' at this year's 2nd Annual Allegany River Fest.
The Allegany River Fest is one of New York State's most eclectic and unique summer celebrations... a celebration that showcases some of country music's most talented performers together with Seneca Nation performers (both singing and dancing groups), the Festival's Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, Wild West acts and as befitting any true country music celebration... a mechanical bull. All of this takes place against the scenic backdrop of Salamanca's Veteran Memorial Park and Allegheny River, with Allegany State Park just a state short drive away.
'Even though this is just our 2nd year, the Allegany River Fest is shaping up to be one of the best festivals of the summer for anyone who loves country music and the great outdoors,' notes Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce president Jayne Fenton. 'The irony of a lot of country music festivals is that they take place in big cities. Well in our case you can't get much closer to the country, because one of the highlights of our festival - the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta takes place on the Allegheny River, which runs right through Salamanca and many of the people who are attending this festival are choosing stay in Allegany State Park - which is just five minutes down the road.'
Most of the scheduled activities take place on Saturday, July 10, starting at 10 a.m. with the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta. Live performances begin at 1:00 p.m. in Salamanca's Veteran Memorial Park. In addition to the Crazy White Boys (Mark Wills and Josh Gracin), the line-up includes The Bobby Hartle Band and West of the Mark. Rounding out the music line-up is up and coming Native Son, a Seneca Native American group with local roots that performs a country and rock mix of original tunes.
Making it A Festive Weekend
For visitors considering making the festival a weekend event, Fenton says there's no shortage of things to do. They can start the weekend off by attending the
the Friday night pre-event beer and food tent in Veterans Park, running from 5-9 p.m. with music provided by popular local Seneca Nation WGWE FM radio personality Mike 'Smitty' Smith. And on Sunday they can take advantage of the close proximity to Allegany State Park.
'Allegany State Park is a 65,000 acre playground, with everything from beaches and picnic areas, museums, hiking areas and amazing rock formations to explore,' observes Fenton. 'And if you're a history buff - we have right here in Salamanca the Seneca Iroquois National Museum, the Salamanca Rail Museum and the Salamanca Historical Society and Museum and our famous 60,000 sq ft antique mall, all within easy driving distance.'
In terms of accommodation options for the weekend, the park has 424 campsites and 325 cabins on site. And Salamanca has a variety of accommodation options ranging from local motels and hotels to upscale B&B's to the Las Vegas style Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel.
