Morris Music Festival To Debut During Butternut Valley Days

MORRIS—A new tradition is taking center stage in the Butternut Valley this summer. On Sunday, August 23, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile will present the inaugural Morris Music Festival, a full day of live music, food, coffee, yoga and community celebration as part of Butternut Valley Days.

Organized by the Butternut Valley Alliance in partnership with local organizations, Butternut Valley Days celebrates the people, places and creativity that make the region unique. Spanning two weekends, the festival features free live music, family activities, local food and beverages, the Gravel Grinder Bike Race, Hellbender 5K Fun Run, and community gatherings across the valley.

The Morris Music Festival is a natural extension of that spirit, organizers said in a press release, celebrating the musicians, artists, and creative voices that make the Butternut Valley a vibrant place to live and visit.

“Hosted at The Gatehouse, the festival will transform downtown Morris into a destination where audiences can discover new artists, share memorable musical experiences and experience the region’s thriving creative culture,” officials said.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with Yoga with Mira upstairs and performances in the cafe, also starting at 9 a.m., from a lineup of regional musicians representing folk, Americana, jazz, blues, singer-songwriter, and acoustic traditions.

This year’s lineup includes: John Houshmand, Blue Stone, Orchard, Liam Herbert, Andrew Carrington, Trio Afinado, Khalil Jade, The Hardy Brothers, Carl and Jack, Jimi Hendrix Trio, Yana King, Shira and Healing Love Water, and Yolanda Bush.

Admission is free with a suggested donation for the performers.

“Some of my favorite musical experiences have always happened in small rooms where people come not just to hear music, but to truly listen,” said Chris Riffle, co-owner of The Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile. “That’s something we’ve been fortunate to build at The Gatehouse, and this festival feels like a natural extension of it.

“We wanted to create a stage that celebrates the incredible artists who live and work in this region and gives people the chance to discover music they may never have encountered otherwise. If someone leaves having found a new favorite artist or feeling a little more connected to this community, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do,” Riffle added.

“The Morris Music Festival represents exactly what Butternut Valley Days is about,” said Cassandra Miller, executive director of the BVA. “It’s neighbors coming together, visitors discovering what makes this valley special, local artists sharing their talents, and organizations working together to create experiences that celebrate the character and creativity of our communities.”