Nearly 100 guests filled the Freight Shed at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown on Thursday evening, ready for a night of bluegrass music and community spirit.
The band – The Winds of Grass – was playing as a part of York County’s Cabin Fever Concert Series, which had three events scheduled this winter in the historic Yorktown venue.
The series has been around for six years, with a mix of musical styles and era represented in the program choices. Kevin Ritchie, event planner for the York County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, is at the helm of the series and said that he tries to mix up the genres of the groups that play.
“You name it, we’ve had it here,” Ritchie said.
The Winds of Grass have been playing together for 15 years, and write many of their own songs. The three band members, joined by the guitarist’s wife for a couple of songs, kept the audience entertained by jokes and anecdotes in the small setting.
A few audience members sang or clapped along to the classic tunes.
In addition to the bluegrass band, the 2014 series included LP and the 8-Tracks in January – a group that plays favorites from the 1960s – and has Poisoned Dwarf, a traditional Celtic music band, scheduled for later in the spring.
Most bands are local, as is the audience.
In between songs, a member of The Winds of Grass asked the crowd to raise their hands if they were visiting from out of town, and then again for area residents. All but one family was from the Historic Triangle.
Ritchie said that a crowd Thursday’s size, with just a few empty chairs, was average for these concerts. He is also used to seeing familiar faces returning for multiple shows in a season.
All shows in the Cabin Fever series are free, and this year no advance tickets are released. Seating is first come, first served.
Guests can also sip and nibble during the music, with free coffee provided by Ben and Jerry’s/Green Mountain Coffee Cafe and desserts by the Carrot Tree Kitchens.
The next concert will be at 7 p.m. March 6.
For more information, visit the Parks, Recreation and Tourism website or call 890-3500.
