In describing the Will McLean Festival, festival chair Lynn Wodjenski makes a solid promise to those who attend. “Everywhere you go, every moment of the day at this festival,” she said. “You see and hear music. From the performers playing onstage to campfire singalongs and active jam areas, there is no dead air.”
A family-friendly event for all ages, The Will McLean Music Festival will feature performances from 90 musical groups playing on three covered stages, delivering the sweet, sonorous sounds of Americana, Blues, Celtic, Bluegrass, Country, and Modern Folk. The festival happens from March 8 at 11:55 a.m. to March 10 at 6 p.m. at the Florida Sand Music Ranch, 85 Myers Rd., Brooksville.
“This festival started as a folk music showcase,” said Wodjenski. “Now we feature any acoustic music that is true; that is great American music. These musicians play original music, taking time-honored styles and making it their own.”
Presented by the Will McLean Foundation, this annual celebration honors the work of Florida’s Troubadour, who wrote songs, stories, and poems about his native state. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports folk music throughout the state of Florida. It maintains a college scholarship program, supports other folk music venues in Florida, and offers a unique young musician’s program, offering guidance and opportunities to youth interested in music. Doug Spears is the foundation president.
Aside from live performances, the festival offers workshops, several jam areas, a young musician’s program, a children’s area and winners of a new Florida song contest. Food and craft vendors will also be featured at this event, which will be celebrated rain or shine.
“Our Young Performers Program and Shooting Stars Festival Stage program (for young artists only) are growing by leaps and bounds,” said Wodjenski. “The young people are our future. When the founders of this festival are gone, it’s the young people that will keep the music playing.”
The Young Performers Program, under the guidance of Laura Jo Julian, is a Saturday afternoon showcase that allows those ready for stage presentations to perform in a popular forum that includes 7 acts and runs from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm on the Azalea Stage. Other youth-directed festivities will consist of open mics, song rounds and workshops for young performers, including the “Write A Song Collaboration.” As a part of this activity, younger festival artists will compose a song that will be performed on the Magnolia Stage around 5:15 p.m. as a part of the Sunday festival wrap-up.
Also new and exciting this year is a festival songwriting contest! “This contest is based on the song alone, an original composition,” said Wodjenski. “And the winning song will be performed at the festival.”
Aside from food trucks offering a variety of tasty edible fare, the festival grounds will be lined with craft booths offering handmade creations of all kinds. “We’ll have 30 craft vendors offering their own handcrafted items,” said Wodjenski.
Other festival highlights will include 3 Songwriter Rounds at this year’s festival, each featuring four artists presenting original material; a Saturday Night Contra Dance at the Azalea Stage area, at which caller JJ Luxe will conduct an instruction portion before the dance starts–The Dunehoppers will provide live music for the dance; “Acoustic Under the Oaks,” a more casual acoustic presentation with no sound system featuring solo acts and bands; “Old time Gathering,” with a focus on “Old Time Music,” featuring performances, mentoring, jams and workshops in that area; workshops, song circles & jams open to anybody at the festival; Open Mics available Friday evening on both the Cypress & Azalea stages; and, on Saturday night, “Cypress Stage After Hours,” an informal setting that involves open mics, jams and occasional showcases; a Sunday “Gospel Sing Along” hosted by Art Crummer; and a wrap-up session hosted by Amy Carol Webb. Amy’s hour includes various artists and the presentation of the Young Performers’ original song. The festival closes with the “Hour of Power,” a presentation of five or six Will McLean songs performed by different artists, and a finale with all festival performers joining in to sing “Hold Back the Waters.” The Will McLean Choir Ensemble, consisting of young performers, will be making their debut appearance during this year’s finale.
“This festival erases the line between performer and audience,” said Wodjenski. “People come back every year, not only to see performers but to see friends they made in years past. And everyone has a chance to sing.”
Day tickets for the Will McLean Festival will be available at the gate: Friday, $25; Saturday, $35; Sunday, $15. Children 16 and under are free. Advance weekend ticket sales are $65. Guests should bring their chairs. The festival ticket price does not include camping. A limited number of camping sites are available. Camping is first come, first served, and the fees will be collected at the gate: $30/Night-Electric/Water, $15/Night-No Hook-Ups.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/willmcleanfestival or https://willmclean.com/festival.
“What I want people to take away from the festival is that we have so much musical talent here in Florida,” said Wodjenski. “These performers and their music are a true inspiration.”
