After 10 years of running the Longstock Music and Arts Festival, Eva Levesque has passed her torch onto friend Jay Halm. But the show must go on, and it will likely be as fun as ever. The Longview festival is Aug. 18 from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and August 19 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entry gates will open at 11 a.m. on both days. Halm said the event started as an opportunity to highlight Foothills-area talent. “Eva Levesque with the Travelling Mabels started it… we’re really good friends and after 10 years they said they were either passing it on or shutting it down,” said Halm. “For such a great festival and what it brings to the community, we thought we would take it over from them.” Halm attended his first Longstock Music and Arts Festival four or five years ago and was impressed by the event. “The community involvement and the organization of it, the way they had everything set up, was very professional. It was great for the community involvement,” he said. “We’re running it the same way… there are just a few more new acts and that’s it.” Sixteen bands are featured throughout the weekend including Over the Moon, Matt Blais Band, Longhaul & The Levesque Family, and the Travelling Mabels. Shannon Smith Band will headline the show from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night. “We’ve actually seen her many times, and just loved the way she engages the crowd. “When she plays she really brings out the singing in everyone,” said Halm. “She’s a really good entertainer.” The music will accompany numerous food and market vendors and a beer garden. Festival foods like fries, hot dogs, pulled pork, popcorn, candy, ice-cream, and mini doughnuts will keep the audience energized and artists like Angela Donovan Wiley, Donna Wilson and Rich Roenisch will keep them inspired. A minimum donation of $10 is required per person per day, but guests should come prepared to spend more on handcrafted decor, clothing, jewelry, preserves, and a digital image photo booth among other things. Donations will be divided among various community causes. Halm said the event attracts a lot of positive feedback. “They say it’s good for the family and just a great little music festival for a getaway. Kids are all welcome… we’ve got phenomenal acts to come,” said Halm. “We do have tables set up, but if they want to bring their lawn chairs, by all means, bring them down.” For more information go to longstockmusicfestival.com or the Facebook page Longstock Music and Arts Festival.
