Tim Ruffo, pictured, is a new addition to this year’s bluegrass festival. Tim Ruffo will be performing solo on July 9, at 6 p.m. at the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival to take place over four days at 231 Ketchumville Rd. in Berkshire, N.Y. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Starting on July 9, for the 12th year in a row, bluegrass lovers will congregate in the hills of Berkshire for the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival. This year’s event has a slew of performers scheduled over the four-day festival held at 231 Ketchumville Rd. in Berkshire, N.Y. and full weekend tickets for two are $80.
The festival originally started in Tioga Center and was run by the Kithcart family. It is named in honor of Beverly Kithcart, whose nickname was Busy Bird. Kithcart was a big fan of music festivals and hoped to have one of her own eventually. In 2004, the year before she passed away, her children helped her start the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival.
After her passing, the festival has continued on and in 2011 it was taken over by the Gwardyak family, who owns the property where it is now held.
Adam Gwardyak explained, “My wife and I are the organizers but this is a family thing, so family friends and neighbors help put it on.”
He estimated that people come from a 150 to 200-mile radius to see the festival, and that the total number of attendees has been increasing every year. Last year, there were approximately 1,500 guests that showed up.
Festival-goers are welcome to stay on site and Gwardyak said, “They can bring anything they want – from motor homes down to sleeping bags.”
Although there’s an admission fee, Gwardyak said the festival hasn’t been a moneymaking venture thus far. In fact, between sponsorships and grants, Busy Bird has just been able to break even.
Gwardyak commented, “We haven’t made a profit yet, but at some point we’d at least like to have enough left over to start the next year with.”
Gwardyak continued, “This is a family-oriented event. We have activities for children.” Although there’s no alcohol sold at the festival, attendees are permitted to bring it in, “but we don’t encourage it.”
This year’s performers include Hickory Project, Jersey Corn Pickers, Slewfoot, Plexigrass, Jesse Alexander Band, Matthews Family Tradition, Melanie and The Boys, Chasing Blue, NewTown, Wood and Wire, Band of Strings, Tim Ruffo, and more.
Ruffo is new to this year’s festival, but is looking forward to performing a solo show for guests.
“I’m originally country music,” said Ruffo. Initially, he wasn’t sure that he’d fit in with the sound of the festival, but organizers encouraged him to come anyway. Ruffo describes his style as “outlaw Americana” and said that he’ll be playing some Johnny Cash, some Willie Nelson, and some original music.
Although he’s traveled all over for his music career, Ruffo, from nearby Maine, N.Y. said that he’s looking forward to an event closer to home.
“I like the concept he has with this bluegrass festival, and I’m playing it by myself without my band, so I can get a little more personal,” said Ruffo.
Pausing, he added, “I think it’s going to be a great event.”
Ruffo will be performing at 6 p.m. at the festival on July 9. You can hear his music at timruffomusic.com.
To learn more about the festival, visit busybirdbluegrass.com.
