Get down to Greenbank Farm this weekend and stick your face in a pie.
Yes, the pie eating contests for both children and adults are on the schedule for the annual Loganberry Festival, which happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22.
But beyond the pie eating, which can also be done at the ever- delicious Whidbey Pies Café at the farm, there’s a whole lot to see and do this year at Loganberry.
Greenbank Farm director Judy Feldman is excited to have folks come and see what continues to develop at the farm because of the focused community that surrounds it.
“The Farm was ‘saved’ by the community back in 1997,” Feldman said, “but it would not be the vibrant place that it is today without all of the vision and hard work that evolved over the past 15 years.”
Feldman said the Port of Coupeville should be recognized for its role in protecting the farm and its varied endeavors and that the team of leaders at the farm should be celebrated for gradually improving the form and functions of a place that is at once a public, private and nonprofit enterprise.
“And to show our deep gratitude to the larger community of neighbors and visitors who continue to love and care for it,” Feldman added.
Indeed, in addition to the food, beer, wine, music and kid’s activities, festival-goers will be able to take in the farm’s Agricultural Training Center gardens and its impressive solar power station, art galleries, shops, and master garden, which are all permanent parts of Greenbank Farm.
Beyond that, pop into the big, red main barn, where all sorts of fiber arts fun will be happening, including fleece, skirting, carding, spinning, dyeing, felting and weaving. Join the knitting circle and shop at the Fiber Shoppe.
New this year is the storytelling tent, where several master storytellers will perform stories of history and myth, including local teller Jill Johnson and her story of Coupeville homesteader Rebecca Ebey.
- A young 4-H Beef Club member shows his cow during the market demonstration at Loganberry Festival 2011.
The 4-H club members are back this year with demonstrations in equestrian demonstrations (including gymnastics on horseback!); a cow show where 4-H Beef members show folks how to get ready for market with a preview of livestock to be sold at the Whidbey Island Area Fair in August; and 4-H Dog members who will demonstrate the enormously agile skills of their canines, among other cow, horse and doggie demos.
And, of course, there will be the traditional loganberry wine tasting, as well as plenty of music for every kind of ear, a blacksmith demo, plenty for the kids to do and see, and of course lots of great local vendors with tasty foods, as well as that ever-popular local beer and wine tent.
Admission to the festival is free with a $5 per car suggested parking contribution.
The Greenbank Farm is just off Highway 525 in Greenbank. For more info, visit www.greenbankfarm.org.
LOGANBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
4-H and Equestrian Arena Events
Saturday and Sunday July 21 and 22, 2012
10 a.m. 4-H Dog agility competition (Saturday qualifying, Sunday demonstration)
12:30 p.m. 4-H Dog Nose work demonstration – “new”
1 p.m. WA Assistance Dog Education Center – Service Dog Demonstration
1:30 p.m. Equestrian Crossings – Quadrille Dressage, moves to music with a team
2 p.m. EQ – Vaulting on Horseback, gymnastics on horseback
2:30 p.m. EQ – Dressage; the highest expression of horse training
3 p.m. EQ – Horse Freestyle, working with horses on the ground
3:30 p.m. 4-H Cow Show & 4-H Beef members prepare for show and market
4 p.m. 4-H Western Horsemanship, members demonstrate skill levels
4:30 p.m. Hippo Therapy Demonstration, horse movement to heal the rider
Story Circle Program in the Master Garden
Saturday, July 21
11:45 a.m. Jill Johnson, Jean Gervais, Mary Grey; Olio – a collection of weaving and spinning stories presented by master story tellers.
2 p.m. Jill Johnson – Reprise of “Rebecca: the story of Rebecca Ebey.” Written and performed by Johnson based on the diary of Whidbey settler Rebecca Ebey.
Storytellers, Sunday, July 22
Noon Brian Rohr – This gifted storyteller presents old myths and tales, “Weaving From the Margins.”
2:45 p.m. Jill Johnson, Jean Gervais, Mary Grey, Brian Rohr – Olio of new stories from the ensemble.
Main Stage Entertainment
Saturday, July 21
We are celebrating roots this year…roots of American music through folk, bluegrass, jazz and rock ‘n roll and how music connects the world via marimba and Latin jazz…all while celebrating the roots of this organic farm and our community. We’re gettin’ back to the Farm!
10-10:20 a.m. ISLAND STRINGS www.islandstrings.com
Experience the talent and courage of these young musicians as they perform on stage for you. This is where it begins- then blossoms into fruition.
10:25 – 11 a.m. NATHANIEL TALBOT www.nathanieltalbot.com
Greenbank Farm’s own Ag Training Alum. Finger-style guitar infused with melodic vocal lines create a truly fresh sonic experience.
11 – 11:15 a.m. KID’S PIE EATING CONTEST – Sign Up
11:15 a.m. – Noon BABY ISLAND www.babyisland.bandcamp.com
Baby Island is a fresh take on vintage Rock n’ Roll with original songwriting featuring catchy melodies and thought-provoking lyrics the whole family can enjoy.
Noon- 1:15 p.m. SHIFTY SAILORS www.shiftysailors.net
“Heave Ho” for the sea shanty singers from Whidbey Island, an enthusiastic singing and crowd-pleasing ensemble. Truly UNIQUE because they are one of the only large groups in the U.S. dedicated to a nautical repertoire. Superb multi voice harmonies with acoustic accompaniment and lots of fun!
1:15 – 1:30 p.m. ADULT PIE EATING – Sign Up
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. MARIMBA RUZIVO
Whidbey Island musicians and visiting Zimbabweans create a seven-piece marimba band, Ruzivo (pronounced Roo-zee-voh). Playing a mix of traditional Zimbabwean music based on the mbira, the spiritual instrument from the Shona people, as well as contemporary compositions and arrangements based on the music of Sub-Saharan Africa, you’ll be on your feet dancing with joy.
2:30-2:45 p.m. KID’S PIE EATING CONTEST – Sign Up
2:45-3:45 p.m. THE RURAL CHARACTERS
Truly musical characters, you’ll love their home-grown songs about Whidbey Island and the eclectic musical instruments. Clever word-smiths and creative stage players, they’ll tell of some inside tidbits of our island.
3:45 – 4 p.m. GREENBANK OPEN MIKE
Share your Greenbank Farm Story (Sign up at Farm Tour Table)
Do you have a favorite memory of the Farm? This is you opportunity to share a minute or two of the Farm you know.
4–5 p.m. PETE
Whidbey Island’s #1 Rough & Ready Rock ‘n Roll Garage Band is gonna knock yer socks off! Noodle arm dancing ends the first day of Loganberry Fest 2012. Yeah man!
Main Stage Entertainment
Sunday, July 22
10-10:45 a.m. MUSE AND EYE
Sublime vocals, creative lyrics and fine acoustic guitar of Russell Clepper and Sarah Dial Primrose combine to present music that is flatland folk, buffalo grass and vague country served straight up from Langley, WA.
10:45 – 11 a.m. KID’S PIE EATING CONTEST -Sign Up
11 a.m. – Noon PEARLY BLUE www.barrybrower.org/pearlyblue.aspx
Lead and harmony vocals fueled by the pulsating sounds of these fine instrumentalists present bluegrass music true to the pioneers: Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, and others, while adding their own touch to the music. These are some of the finest bluegrass musicians from Washington State.
Noon- 12:15 p.m. ADULT PIE EATING CONTEST – Sign Up
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. BAHIA
Groove to the tropical sounds in the tradition of Jobim/Bossa Nova and Tito Puente /Latin Jazz, along with jazz standards. Bahia band members, all Whidbey Island Southenders present the best in Latin jazz.
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. ZUMBA #1 www.islandathleticclub.com/zumba
Chizue Rudd and her team from Island Athletic Club demonstrate the Latin-inspired, dance-fitness technique that incorporates Latin and International music with dance movements. Move along with the team in the zone.
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. TAMBOURINE SKY www.janiecribbs.com
Original, rootsy, folkadelic music with a side of blues. Growing from the rock band of Janie and Joe, this local quartet rocks audiences throughout the Northwest.
2:45-3 p.m. KID’S PIE EATING CONTEST– Sign Up
3-3:15 p.m. ZUMBA #2
3:15-4:45 p.m. PEARL DJANGO http://www.pearldjango.com
One of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups, with guitarist Troy Chapman from our own Whidbey Island playing Django tunes and original compositions.