A Much Awaited Gathering at Chaffee's

Nick Warren

FRIDAY, JULY 23 -24 

If four decades have taught area festivalgoers anything, it's that nothing can break up a Gathering at Chaffee's. The stalwart soiree persisted in spite of COVID last year, celebrating its 40th birthday — although longtime attendees would agree it was very much not itself. "Sparse," "subdued," and "socially distant" are not adjectives people typically associate with "The Party" on the Chaffee family property in Girard — the two full days of music, camping, and friends (both old and new) taking place annually each July. 

The 41st Gathering at Chaffee's should prove a return to form, with nearly 20 bands set to take the stage between Friday and Saturday. Headlining is Chicago-based jam quartet Mungion, who display a rare knack for balancing technicality with tunefulness in their genre-bending sound. Generally upbeat and always grooving, comparisons to groups like Phish and Umphrey's McGee would be unavoidable if they didn't do such a bang-up job at capturing your attention.

Other top-billed acts include:

• Jam veterans and Chaffee's regulars əkoostik hookah, hailing from Columbus, Ohio
• The energetic and appropriately colorful performers of Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, from Lansing, Mich.
• Doctor Lo Faber (yes, he has a PhD in early 19th century American history!), best known as the vocalist and guitarist of New York City's God Street Wine. He will be involved in two spotlighted sets, one with his Cool New Band and another with Eric Brewer & Friends (playing God Street Wine songs).

Filling out the festival lineup are a host of local and regional favorites, including:

• Eric Brewer & Friends
• The LEC
• Phunkademic
• Matty & The Pickles
• Stephen Trohoske & The Art Groupies
• Yurt Alert
• Cosmic Rhythm
• Paper Matches
• Aria & The Voiceless
• Shoefly Soul
• The Jeebies
• Dom & Colette
• Chris Ehrich
• Jess Royer
• FRESCO

Last call tickets are available online at thegatheringatchaffees.com, or physically from Grasshopper (2518 Peach St. in Erie) or Earthshine (118 Meadville St. in Edinboro). Tickets will not be available at the gate. Proceeds will help benefit the Children Advocacy Center of Erie County and the Shriner's Hospitals for Children.

So gather yourself and gather your friends for what should be a much, much more familiar Chaffee's weekend in 2021.

Friday and Saturday // 8296 Mill St., Girard // $100 both days, $70 Saturday only (additional fees for RVs, Campers, and Pop-Ups) // thegatheringatchaffees.com