LOCK HAVEN – Velveeta and opening act Willie Jack & The Northern Light brought the music to a packed house on Main Street on Friday night.
Hundreds of concertgoers and local restaurant patrons gathered on the newly renovated patio of the Susquehanna Event Center (formerly the Lock Haven Elks) to hear popular local band Velveeta and newcomers Willie Jack & The Northern Lights rock late into the evening.
Straub Brewery and Oregon Hill Winery offered concertgoers a variety of beverages, and many took advantage of nearby outdoor dining options.
LH Jams continues today with a wide range of music, craft stalls, food and more. Here is an overview of what to expect, music starts at 12pm:
A total of 10 bands will play during the festival starting at 12pm. They come from as far away as New York and Pittsburgh and as close as State College and Lock Haven. Musical genres include jazz, pop, rock, blues and Southern Gothic.
This is what you can expect from the artists:
— The Central Mountain Jazz Cats
— FAYM Band
— The Sorters
— Bonnie and the Mere Mortals
— James Supra and the Sarah Ayers Band
— Central City Orchestra
Rain or shine, the festival is expected to include:
Street artists
Dani Long Leggs and Mister Leggs are new to the festival in 2024. They bring another element of uniqueness that LH JAMS is known for. A touch of “Burning Man East” and “Carnival”: You’ll see 15-foot giants juggling LED batons in colorful costumes right on Main Street. In a family-friendly environment geared toward the young and young at heart, Dani and Andrew will interact with the crowd. They may even bring extra hula hoops and other fun props to keep everyone in the fun.
Arts and crafts vendors
The artisans and craftspeople selected by LH JAMS are the mainstay of the Saturday Main Street Festival. You can purchase unique paintings, photographs, drawings, local honey, handmade soaps, organic salves and fragrances, tie-dyed clothing, premium cigars and much more. A popular part of the Saturday Street Festival is the artists and craftspeople demonstrations. You can watch several artisans demonstrate their craft and ask questions. This is another educational level of the festival that the CCAC has created to educate the public about the skill and dedication of our local artisans.
Street artists
Holly Foy and her creative group will once again decorate Grove Street. You might see giant kites, colorful butterflies, beautiful flowers or a variety of other ideas they have come up with. Bring the kids and discuss the process. Maybe you can even be part of the art.
Plein-air painter
One of the most popular parts of the festival is CCAC’s group of plein air painters who create artwork right before your eyes. This year, there will be nine artists from across Central PA. Many are award-winning painters, so this is your chance to purchase a masterpiece right off the easel! “We consider our plein air artists to be ambassadors for the festival who are happy to interact with the public and answer any questions you may have about their artwork,” Getz said.
Food vendors and
Seating in the restaurant-café
One of the most popular highlights of LH JAMS is the availability of local food and beverages. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased and consumed on the festival grounds. To make the festival a safe, family-friendly environment, no outside beverages may be brought onto the festival grounds. Security will be present to enforce violations. Bags and purses may be searched, so please keep this in mind when planning your stay. Most downtown restaurants offer cafe seating during the festival. Typically, local restaurants offer specials during LH JAMS. It is also recommended to make reservations to secure a table if you plan to eat. Straub Brewery and Oregon Hill will also be setting up their beer and wine garden on Friday night and all day Saturday. Three food trucks will be offering a wide variety of dishes including spring rolls, tacos, burritos, BBQ sandwiches, and other tasty fare.