This year marks the seventh annual Summit Hill Hootenanny and plans are underway to ensure that this year is the best one yet. “It’s been absolutely wonderful to see the town of Summit Hill embrace the Hootenanny. Summit Hill is a beautiful town full of great folks who know how to have a good time. It’s awesome to see everyone work together to celebrate music and culture on Hootenanny day,” said the Hootenanny’s founder Sara Ruch.

The 2018 entertainment lineup includes performances by the Pennsylvania Villagers, Coal County Express, Ecospheres, Serene Green, Free Range Folk and the Wallace Brothers. Singer/songwriters Tommy and Clayton, Lyle Mantz and Dave Matsinko will also be performing at the event. These performances are designed to showcase the many talents of our local musicians while holding onto regional musical traditions, such as Polka, Bluegrass, Jazz, Folk and Americana.

The event gives plenty of local non-profit organizations the opportunity to continue financially supporting themselves by selling food and other items. “You can truly feel good about spending your money at the stands,” Ruch said.

This year’s Hootenanny features a wide variety of activities including a children’s area with crafts and activities, a basket raffle, a corn hole tournament and music on the stage and in the gazebo all throughout the day. As a way to lessen the financial blow, volunteers participate in a basket raffle each year. The basket raffle usually features an array of different items, so there is something for everyone.

One of the Hootenanny’s biggest attractions is its annual corn hole tournament. “Our family and friends have been playing for years,” Ruch said.

“When brainstorming for the first Hootenanny, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to have a tournament and give a set away?’ It turns out it was a lot of fun! So much so that it’s been a staple of the Hootenanny ever since.”

According to Ruch, there is never a shortage of cornhole players. The tournament usually pits 20-24 teams against each other to see who will come out on top.

“There is rain in the forecast for Sunday but we are ready for it! We have a tented area to sit, and we do have access to an indoor location for cornhole should the weather turn especially dreary,” Ruch said.

For more information, contact summithillhoot@gmail.com.