Elderberry Jam has super fruit, super bands, super fun

When music promoter Jake West was first introduced to elderberries, he knew little about them.

Partly through the Elderberry Festival in Hartsburg, he learned the super fruit has been used for centuries to treat wounds, soothes respiratory illnesses such as the cold and flu if ingested, and boasts flavonoids that have antioxidant properties to prevent damage to the body's cells.

"My family and I rarely get sick now that we love elderberries and drink elderberry juice," he said.

Spreading the good news about nature's medicine is what started the first Elderberry Festival in Hartsburg. After about three years, the management of the initial festival reorganized, and the event expanded to include a variety of music, workshops and activities for the whole family.

Celebrating its fifth year and boasting more than 15 musicians and performers in concert, the 2017 Elderberry Jam scheduled Aug. 4-5 is still held at the Elderberry Farm and shares the health benefits of elderberries with its guests.

"Still being at the farm, our guests still see beautiful rows of elderberries everywhere," said West, who is now the lead organizer of the event and co-hosts it under his music promotion company, Good Times Productions. "Norm's Farms will be on hand, and they will have plenty of elderberry juices, jams, jellies, throat coat and some samples, talking about the benefits of the super fruit."

Music is also an important part of the Elderberry Jam, with a variety of genres represented in performances at the farm's natural hillside amphitheater. The full line-up of musicians includes Dirtfoot, Al Holliday and the East Side Rhythm Band, The Stone Sugar Shakedown, The Kay Brothers, Blue Fruit Snacks, Break Night, Blake Gardner & The Farmers, Spaceship, The Roadkill Orchestra, Paul Weber and The Scrappers, Catdaddy's Funky Fuzz-Bunker Band, My Twins, Silence The Duck, Jones and Rosenkrans, Dance Monkey Dance, Laura Thurston, Benji Wade Mantle, Leah Osborne, Green Bean and Kai Muhammad.

"We cross genres; there's no particular type of music and a little bit of everything. Earlier in the day you will hear more country and bluegrass and singer/songwriter style music, but as the night goes on we'll ease into more electric and energetic rock," West said. "We have veteran (Elderberry Jam) performers like Road Kill Orchestra and The Stone Sugar Shakedown, which are just two of our popular staples. Then there are newcomers like Dirt Road and Al Holliday and the East Side Rhythm Band. We are really excited about both of those."

In fact, the Road Kill Orchestra will provide entertainment during the "Git' Up, Git' Down Community Breakfast" on Aug. 5 where guests bring in their bacon, eggs and other items and leave the cooking to event organizers for a hassle-free breakfast.

"We typically have about 200 people that enjoy this fun, potluck-style breakfast," West said.

With paid admission to the festival, guests can also enjoy adult workshops and kids camp. Yoga, belly dancing, elderberry education and juggling are among fun sessions for adults, while children can enjoy face painting, a balloon ninja, a DYI hoop workshop, nature walk, arts and crafts, peanut butter jelly time, scavenger hunt, water-related activities and more, West said.

Even though the festival typically boasts approximately 500 attendees, West considers the Elderberry Jam a small, grassroots event with a positive vibe.

"Everybody has been very impressed and wants to come back. We go the extra mile in presenting quality music, quality food vendors and a positive environment," West said. "There is something there for everybody. It's not about any one thing, but it's music, kids, elderberries and community. It's all about good people, good music, good food and good times."

Two-day passes are $60 per person, and a one-day pass for Aug. 5 is $30 per person. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free, and children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Two-day passes include camping Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday passes include camping that night. All passes include admission to adult workshops and children's camp activities. A $5 Thursday early arrival fee will be charged. The event will be held rain or shine.

The Elderberry Farm is located at 20200 S. Jemerson Creek Road in Hartsburg. For more information, email West at [email protected] or visit the 2017 Elderberry Jam event page on Facebook.