Ian Hunter Leads 10th Annual Pleasantville Music Festival Lineup
British rock legend Ian Hunter will headline the 10th annual Pleasantville Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at Parkway Field.
Hunter, who will be performing with The Rant Band, is probably best known as the leader of the 1970s rock band Mott the Hoople and for songs including “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” and “Cleveland Rocks.”
Also performing on two main stages will be Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers, Augustana, Scars on 45, Grizzfolk, Leroy Justice, Jessica Lynn, Ben Fuller, Spuyten Duyvil, Erin Hobson Compact, Blues Mothers, American Pin-Up, and Stone Cold Fox.
“We have been able to strike a dynamic balance of acts with international and national standing with local musicians, performing original material, from Westchester, the Hudson Valley and Greater New York Metro area,” said Music Festival Executive Director Sol Skolnick. “We have been able to extend the musical lineage of the festival with classic rocker Ian Hunter, second-generation talent such as Amy Helm, daughter of Levon Helm, session and concert stage veterans such as the members of The Blues Mothers, with AAA radio staples Augustana and Scars on 45, and Westchester’s own country songbird Jessica Lynn amongst the 13 sets of performers.”
The event kicks off at noon with the first act taking the stage at 12:15 p.m. It is scheduled to run until about 8:30 p.m. In addition to the music, the festival will feature more than 50 vendors offering food, beverages and crafts. Children will enjoy the “Fun-Time” amusement area and face painting, while adults can sample locally crafted, award-winning beer from Captain Lawrence Brewery in an enclosed garden.
The Pleasantville Music Festival is entirely organized and produced by local residents and volunteers and has regularly attracted more than 5,000 attendees. Skolnick said he believes the festival is able to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year thanks to a successful partnership between local business and community organizations, local government and volunteers.
“The festival exemplifies the community spirit that is the strength of the Village of Pleasantville and other towns throughout the county,” he said. “Pleasantville is a village that actively supports cultural development through institutions like the Jacob Burns Film Center, Arc Theater and the Pleasantville Music Festival. The festival attracts publicity that helps to cast the village in a positive light.”
This year’s charitable sponsor is Tommie Cares, a Mount Kisco-based organization that helps the physically and developmentally disabled.
Tickets are already on sale for the event. The first 500 adult tickets sold through June 25 will be discounted to $40. After that date, adult tickets will cost $50; $25 for seniors and students. Discounted tickets for seniors and students must be purchased in person with valid proof of age, and are available at Art of Wine on Cooley Street or The Village Bookstore, located at 10 Washington Ave. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted to the event for free if accompanied by a ticket-carrying adult.
There is no public parking at the festival, but shuttle service will transport patrons to and from Pace University’s Entrance 2, where parking is free. In addition, shuttle service will bring visitors to and from the Metro-North train station all day, up until 45 minutes after the conclusion of the festival.
The Pleasantville Music Festival will be presented by Westchester-based radio station 107.1 FM (WXPK) The Peak along with Westchester Medical Center and several other local sponsors. Those interested in becoming an event sponsor or vendor should call 914-714-2738 or email pleasantmusic@optonline.net.
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