Music jamboree held for the community

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 18, 2019

Wave Radio finds the right frequency performing at the Chadds Ford Historical Society's Valley Jamboree Saturday.

The meadow at Chadds Ford Historical Society was alive with music Saturday as the society held its first-ever Valley Jamboree, a two-day music festival. Sunshine and pleasant temperatures blended well with what CFHS President Phyllis Recca called a community event.

“We’re stressing this is for the community,” she said while busy making a last minute check. “It’s a community event.”

Recca wanted to make sure people understand that the society and its grounds are open for the community, that people can walk the grounds, park and stroll down to the Brandywine Creek. Yet, while the jamboree is for the community, Recca was open about it also being a fundraiser for CFHS.

Sometimes you can't beat a Bounce House slide for fun.

A scheduled music festival last year was rained out and several Chadds Ford Days and Pumpkin Carves — the two major fundraisers —have also been dampened by bad weather. And last year there was no Chadds Ford Days scheduled at all.

Having the music festival in the spring, Recca said, was a chance for the nonprofit organization to add to its financial reserves just in case late summer and autumn events get washed out.

She was hoping for about 750 to 1,000 people each day during the weekend with a net take of about $15,000.

The primary attraction was the six scheduled bands, three each day. Saturday groups were Wave Radio, Green Eggs and Jam, and Special Delivery. Scheduled for Sunday are Tommy Froelich Trio, Steve Liberace band, and Sin Brothers.

There was also a Bounce House and a petting zoo for kids, food trucks, alcohol sales of wine and beer, and crafters.

Recca also reminded people that Chadds Ford Days will return this year, but a week after the traditional event weekend. She said too many other events that weekend after Labor Day made it difficult for the society to compete for volunteers as well as visitors.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.