Grab a blanket, a chair, a picnic lunch and enjoy some music in the park this Sunday.
Every year West Chester hosts its very own music festival, a local celebration of summer. The laid back festival has the feel of the another area. Maybe it’s all the tie-dye and crochet-embellished clothing for sale or maybe it’s concert’s organic beginnings – just a group of musicians and the friends that came to see them play – but there is something simple and nostalgic about the whole production. If you ignore the zip line.
What: Turks Head Music Festival
When: Sunday, July 15 11 am – 9 pm
Where: Everhart Park, West Chester
Who: 11 local and regional bands
Why: It’s Sunday in the summer, why not?
6 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Turks Head Music Festival (and 3 you probably do)
- At its peak in 1985 – it is estimated more than 10,000 people attended the festival.
- The first unofficial concert was held on the lawn in Everhart Park on May 31, 1970. It is believed between 400-500 people attended.
- In 1982 the semi-regular concert in the park became an official music festival run and regulated by the Park & Rec department.
- The festival has long had a precarious relationship with residents around the park, many years racking up noise, traffic and parking complaints. (You can read the transcripts of past complaints to Borough Council here.)
- In 1987 there was a petition to move the concert out of the park and out of the Borough to Farrell stadium and to charge a fee. Luckily that petition was quickly squashed.
- Over the years the event has grown beyond bands adding food, retail and other entertainment. This year’s event will feature 11 bands, 60 vendors, a kids’ area and a mist tent.
- And now fitness. Local Yoga Cafe will offer a free yoga class at 10 a.m.
- There will be 11 acts on two stages. Find a complete list of this year’s bands here.
- Nine of the bands hail from Chester County. One is traveling from New Jersey, another from New York.
- The music festival is held on the fourth Sunday in July.
If you were looking for something with a little less direct sunlight – check out this open to everyone cool-down option.
