“It’s our responsibility to honor Hylo Brown and his legacy,” said Matthew Smith, a member of Our Towne Mechanicsburg, which helped organize the festival. “To do that we need to constantly challenge ourselves to get better as a festival.”
Brown’s music is already well-known locally. Originally from Kentucky, Frank “Hylo” Brown is has been a candidate for the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, among numerous other accomplishments. He retired to Mechanicsburg where he died in 2003. Smith said the village has honored his music in some way for at least 10 years through various festivals.
IIIrd Tyme Out, a band that has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and has won more than 50 industry awards, will play a mix of original music and will likely perform some of Hylo Brown’s original work. Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, as well as several other bands will also perform.
To offer more to visitors this year, Smith said there will also be a musical performance Friday evening as well as an open mic night. Most of the bands will perform on Saturday, and a gospel music performance is scheduled for Sunday morning.
In recent years, the festival has drawn between 700 and 1,000 visitors, and organizers are hoping to increase those numbers with the additional days and new performers. Free camping is also being offered throughout the weekend this year.
Previously, organizers simply asked for a donation, but there will be a $5 charge for adults this year, Smith said.
In recent years, the festival drew visitors from as far as two hours away.
“We’re hoping this is going to pull people from three, four or five hours away,” Smith said.
What: Hylo Brown Bluegrass Festival
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Goshen Memorial Park, Mechanicsburg
Cost: $5. Children 16 and under are free.
On the web: www.hylobrown.com
For more info: (937) 215-9363.
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