Celebrating Stroudsburg

The Streets of Stroudsburg, PA were filled with music, art, and festival lovers as the town celebrated it’s existence on Saturday September 1st with its 6th Annual Stroudfest. A beautiful Summer day greeted visitors to the area and residents alike as numerous businesses, art related venues, and musicians eagerly shared their various endeavors to all they encountered. It was certainly a “Strut your stuff” day as everyone involved with the festival upped the ante on the meaning of the phrase to a considerable level.

There were three official festival stages presenting music set up around and along the main street area of the town. The first was located at The Courthouse Square on 7th Street which featured Jazz Juice, The Christian Porter Band, Tox Island with Bill Rooth and Friends, Miami Cakes and Donuts with Christopher Cuzme on Sax, Los Diablos - The Johnny Rydell Band, and Functional Flow. The Second Stage was at Brite Cleaners located on Main Street which featured Soul Intent, The Kevin Brennan Band, Matt Abell, Marshall's Highway, and Flyin Blind. The final official festival stage was also on Main Street and located across from the Sherman Theater which featured Blues Guitarist Randy Bigness along with a number of his musical friends who shared the stage either alongside of one another or performed individually throughout the day.

Unfortunately, I was unable to partake of all the performances as there were a great deal happening that day. However, the bands I did manage to experience were great. The excitement and exuberance they displayed echoed their love for the music they shared which proved to be very contagious among those fortunate enough to hear them. In other words, they were fun and made the festival a great day to be in town.

In addition to the festival stages mentioned, there were a number of areas which music was presented and were not included official lineups. Some were impromptu performances given by lone guitarists or small grouping of musicians which gave the festival more diversity and contrasted the somewhat commercial aspects of the event. Others were what one might consider festivals within the festival existing independently of what was established by the Stroudfest organizers.

This included a remote stage set up in the Ribbon Outlet Parking lot located on Ann Street by the music store known as “Moe’st Everything Muse.” The store held an Outdoor Concert and Open Mic event throughout the day featuring several musicians along with the Christian Rock band Least Likely. Although one had to travel a bit to reach this out of the way venue, it was well worth the walk as the friendly atmosphere encouraged all to make new friends from  among the musicians who played as well as from those who shared in the listening experience. You can learn more about Moe’st Everything Muse and future Open Mic and concert events they plan to present by exploring their website at www.moesteverything.com.

Besides the music presented throughout the day, there were a number or art related events going on. This included an Art Yard Sale held in front of The Pocono Arts Community Center while an artists’ reception was being held within it. The center’s ArtSpace Gallery featured the work of Marcos Oksenhendler who is the curator at The Pocono Community Theater Gallery and Sharon Cosgrove who was the featured artist in the center’s Studio Gallery. The works of other area artists were also presented in the exhibition. They included Thomas Augusta, David Cook, Sharon Cosgrove, Denise Darvón, Will Daskal, Shirley Epstein, Jim Hannan, Helen Heeren, Marlana Holsten, John Kopp, Linda Kreckel, Don Manza, Joan Sayer, and Jan Ward. The exhibition continues until September 30th and more information about it can be obtained by exploring the PoconoArts Council website at www.poconoarts.org.

So, what else was going on during the festival? Well, one would be remise by not mentioning the multitude of artists and artisans aligned along the sidewalks of Main Street. There were way too many to acknowledge in a single article, but here are some whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet and share a conversation with. They include Beverly L. Place, Erika Liodice who is the author of the book titled, “Empty Arms,” DGS Crafts offering flowers, photos, jewelry and fabric ornaments, Dawn of New York offering fashion and accessories, Patty the Poet offering inspiring poetry, Rusty Transformations featuring works created by Bob Bernard, The Indulgent Apothecary offering handmade herbal products, The Yoga House offering instruction in the discipline, Steve Feuer representing Gihon River Press, Inc., Life in Bloom offering fiber crafts, The Garden of Giving supplying the Monroe county food bank with fresh food, The Pocono Parents of Down Syndrome, Lynoopie Creations offering handmade Knit Hats and accessories, Bagatelle Morph Studios presenting Photography and Art created by Flynn Kinney and Maia Rossiello, Artist Austin Davis, The Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs, and The Happy Pipe who offers a relaxing journey as only a luxurious drag from a Hookah can provide. There was also a Centurion representing Franzetta’s Fantasy Costumes who was Roman around the town. I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist.

And, if all I shared in this article about Stroudfest 2012 wasn’t enough, there was also a free tai chi lesson at The Back Street Studio and Art Gallerie located on 6th Street and The Monroe County Historical Association hosted their 4th Annual Olde Time Fun children’s activities. You can learn more about The Back Street Studio and Art Gallerie by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/BackstreetStudioAndArtGallerie and The Monroe County Historical Association Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Monroe-County-Historical-Association/167621751764 for more information.

All in all, this year’s Stroudfest proved to be a great day to spend walking around the streets of Stroudsburg, PA. There were plenty to see and do which was a lot of fun. This was especially true if one ventured off the official paths to discover some truly remarkable gems hidden away beyond the more commercial perimeters’ of the festival. Unfortunately, some seem to forget they are a part of the town as well but they deserved to be recognized as such. You’ll find more photographs taken during the day in the Stroudfest 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151210423010421.507409.636000420&type=1.

The 6th Annual Stroudfest event was organized and presented by the Sherman Theater as one of the festivals it formulated which is designed to honor the town of Stroudsburg, PA. The other festivals the theater presents are The Pocono Raceway Festival which takes place in June and The Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains Finish Line Festival scheduled to take place Sunday September 30th. In addition to the festivals, The Sherman Theater presents numerous concerts, theatrical productions, and other events throughout the year. You can learn more about The Sherman Theater and all it has to offer the community by exploring their website at www.shermantheater.com.