Written by Jocelyn Dietrich
Feastival is rapidly approaching!
“What is Feastival?” you might ask. It’s a banjo strummin’, booty shakin’, food truck grubbin’ party in one of the greatest cities of all time! “What city is that?” you might ask again. Well – for those of you that have been living under a rock and don’t know the top cities to live in for food, music and all around wonder – it’s in Pittsburgh! Located almost as far west as Ohio, and almost as far south as West Virginia, Pittsburgh is just a weekend trip for so many music travelers. Whether you make it by train, plane or automobile – if you have any interest in top notch bluegrass and vending, in a city full of scenic views and contagious soul – this is not a party to miss.
The day: September 8th, 2018. The lineup: Railroad Earth, Billy Strings, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Wreck Loose, Well Strung. The venue: McKees Rocks Municipal Lot. Hosted by the good hearts and souls of Grey Area Productions and Thunderbird Cafe, this is the summer party we’ve all been waiting for to send it off with a bang and banjo.
Photo by David Heath
The location of this party is part of a long road of revival of the neighborhood McKees Rocks through a historic music venue, The Roxian Theater. The theater was originally opened in 1928 as a vaudeville playhouse that sat 1,500 people. Feastival is a free party hosted outside of The Roxian for the last three years to see if music will bring people to McKees Rocks. Judging by the 4,000 plus in and out-of-staters that have attended Feastival, there will be no shortage of interest. Construction is set to be done and people will be back in The Roxian by 2019.
New Jersey natives, Railroad Earth, are the headliners of this evening of strings. This bluegrass, rock, jazz, celtic fusion group is no stranger to Pittsburgh. They’ll be taking the stage just after Feastival veteran, Billy Strings. Joining us from Michigan, Mr. Strings took the stage last year with Leftover Salmon, and just couldn’t stay away for another round.
Photo by David Heath.
With such an epic lineup, make sure you don’t forget about the fantastic art and food vendors! Enjoy some tacos, empanadas, fish & chips, vegetarian & vegan offerings, crepes, chicken and waffles, bar-b-que and so many more delicious food truck options that will be joining in on the fun. Full Pint, some of Pittsburgh’s finest local beer, will also be providing libations.
Grey Area will be hosting a pre party with Zach Deputy & The Yankees with Wanyama at The Rex Theater on Friday, September 7th, and Saturday after the Feastival, there will be a free after-party at The Rex Theater featuring High & Mighty Brass Band and a Feastival Allstars Super Jam So do yourself a favor and make a weekend out of it! Go explore and enjoy the city with great tunes, food, and friends. What else is there?
Learn more info about Festival on their website.
