WELLSVILLE — The director of the Hyrum City Museum, Jami Van Huss, wore a different hat on KVNU’s For the People program on Wednesday.
She is also a board member of the Wellsville Foundation that has been working to restore the Wellsville Tabernacle into an updated and accessible community center.
To reintroduce the public to the historic building, they are sponsoring what’s being billed as the Wellsville Mountain Music and Art Festival on June 24th and 25th.
“I live in Wellsville, I live a block away from the Tabernacle, so I’ve been involved with the foundation for a number of years, just personally, because I’m interested in all things historic. So, this is the inaugural event, it’s something that if we make money to go towards the restoration that’s fantastic. But it really is about just re-engaging the community with the Tabernacle,” Van Huss explained.
The tabernacle has been closed for over ten years and the foundation and the community have been working diligently over the last decade to raise money and get grants.
The festival will kick off the night of Friday, June 24th with a Ned Ledoux concert at the American West Heritage Center, which is partnering with the Wellsville Foundation.
“So that is something you need to get a ticket to, it’s part of their Summer Concert Series. We’re kind of joining forces. Then, the all day festival at the Tabernacle on Satiurday(June 25th) is free. There will be music all day long starting at noon,(that’s)when the first band plays, and they’ll be every two hours – noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8.”
Bands scheduled on Saturday include Hawgwash (at noon) with folk and bluegrass, Singing for Cache, a vocal quartet at 2p.m., Blue Sky Band with classic rock at 4p.m., contemporary rock from Olivia Malm at 6p.m. and the night wraps up with the Blue Blazers Band with rhythm & blues at 8p.m., all at the Wellsville Tabernacle.
“And then starting at 11, that’s when there will be art, art booths, so artists are coming out. There will be some demonstrations, some interactive activities, stuff for people to do, crafts booths and then also food trucks of course!”
You can call Van Huss at the Hyrum Museum for more information: 435-245-0208. Or email her at museum@hyrumcity.com