Pick'n and Grinnin'

Saturday, Apr. 13

Are you ready for this year's festival season? If you want to give that feeling a jumpstart, Peek'n Peak has something in store for you. With just a day-long lineup and an indoor setting, "Pick'n at the Peak" hopes to be the perfect warm-up for summer events. With 17 different slots from noon to night, there will be plenty of clinics, short seminars, and of course, musical acts, to keep you busy and entertained. Local singer-songwriter Tyler Smilo will start off the day's schedule, with the Gregg Welty Bluegrass Quartet headlining the evening. The North Carolina-born banjo player has been a mainstay of the Western New York music scene and is a former member of Big Leg Emma. In 2018, he released Community, a 14-track album that utilized over 50 artists in its recording.

This day-long festival comes at a time that might be familiar to some, in the weeks of early spring that used to be home to the Riverside Music Festival (much like the stage show of the Medieval Feast, the Peak has taken up the mantle for the historic Inn after its untimely demise). It's also organized by the same person, musician Justin Moyar. With more than ten years of organizing experience, he had his inspirations, and a few new ones, explaining that "my goal was to have something that was more than just a music fest. I wanted to pattern it after some amazing events that are already taking place throughout the nation, like the LAUNCH Festival in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They combine musical performances with workshops, demonstrations, one-on-one mentorship, panel discussions, seminars and the opportunity for musicians to showcase in front of industry professionals." Drawing in local businesses like Key Note Guitar, GH Plugs, along with national amplifier names like Hughes & Kettner and Orange, Moyar put together the inviting mix of entertainment and education. There are already plans to expand the festival next year, as Moyar's original proposal called for a multi-day event. Heather McBrier, corporate events manager for Scott Enterprises, is excited to get the ball rolling this year and beyond. "The idea is that we would want to see it grow every year. We do want it to become awesome," McBrier admitted. For a place usually known for winter events, the Peak, in McBrier's words "is really trying to bring unique and fun events during the off-season, so be on the lookout." — Nick Warren

Noon // Peek'n Peak Main Lodge, 1405 Old Rd, Clymer, NY // $10, overnight packages available // pknpk.com