CHATEAUGAY — Don't put away those lawn chairs, coolers and dancing sandals just yet. It seems the summer isn't quite over, on Chateaugay Lake at least.
In an effort to share a beautiful piece of the North Country, Camp Jeanne d'Arc will open up its majestic property to the public when it hosts the inaugural Zumgali Music Festival on Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3.
The lineup consists of renowned bluegrass outfit the Gibson Brothers; blues-funk rockers Lucid; Angry Neighbors; Three Peace Suit; and Slab City.
The Gibsons play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $20 per day or $30 for the weekend. All proceeds go to the general operating fund of the children's camp.
Gates open at noon on Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Food, beer, wine, local artisans and pony rides will be on site. Recreational vehicles and camping will be permitted. The festival is still looking for vendors.
INAUGURAL FESTIVAL
"This is the first of what we hope will be many future outdoor music festivals at this location," said Jehanne Edwards, camp director. "We are contemplating holding three or four music festival weekends per year on this site. We are very excited to host this inaugural festival with the Gibson Brothers as the headliners because they are our neighbors, so to speak, and this camp is our summer home and has been for four generations of campers."
With an alumni base hovering around 4,000, Camp Jeanne d'Arc offers a tranquil and educational place for children from around the world. Zumgali will provide an ideal landscape of Chateaugay Lake and Lyon Mountain in the peak of the foliage season.
"When I was a kid we used to sing paddling songs when we were canoeing long distances to make the time go faster and the struggle seem less difficult," Edwards said. "One of the songs was 'Zumgali-gali,' which we thought was an Algonquin Indian word for "here we are paddling on the lake," or something similar. ... we just thought that Zumgali had some local significance and picked it."
And with the days winding down until the festival takes flight, Edwards is excited to explore different avenues for the land she holds so dear, avenues that also will include weekly concerts as the venue moves forward.
"We feel the camp will lend itself well to our local and regional community as a very special venue which brings people together to listen to live music outdoors," she said. "In the best of circumstances, can there be anything more sublime— I hope it will be a place they come to know and love as we do."
For more information, visit: www.ZumgaliMusicFestival.com. To reserve an RV camping site, or vendor space, call 425-3311.
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
ShowBiz Minute: Manzarek, Keith, Bieber
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Beckham to Retire From Soccer at End of Season
ABC Stars React to Jolie News
ShowBiz Minute: Jolie Reax, Dr Dre, Richie
Jolie Genetic Cancer Risk High but Rare
ShowBiz Minute: Jolie, Jackson, 24
Beatles Guitar May Fetch $300,000 at Auction
Raw from 'The View': Barbara Walters to Retire
Cooper's 'Hangover' Is a Career Changer
Raw: Prince Harry in Colo. for Wounded Vet Games
ShowBiz Minute: Jackson, Jackson, PSY
Kris Kross Rapper Chris Kelly Laid to Rest
Broadway's 'Matilda' Cast Chats With Astronaut
"The Office" Forever Linked to Scranton, Pa.
ShowBiz Minute: Hill, Bieber, Clinton
Beyonce Gets Emotional in 'Epic'
Kimye, Beyonce Go Punk at Met Gala
Sarah Brightman Plans for Space Journey
