NELSONVILLE — The Nelsonville Music Festival, featuring three days of music ranging from Americana to rock and rap, will bring thousands of people to the Snow Fork Event Center, in Nelsonville, this weekend.
Celebrating its 18th year, the festival, held Friday through Sunday will feature over 40 national, regional and local acts across four stages. Besides weekend long camping, kids’ activities, vendors and more, will be available.
Weekend passes start at $160, while day passes start at $100. Tickets and more information can be found at nelsonvillefest.org or by calling (740) 753-1924.
The Nelsonville Music Festival, or NMF, is organized by Stuart’s Opera House, a nonprofit historic theater and performing arts center in Nelsonville.
All proceeds raised at the festival support year-round programming at Stuart’s Opera House, including its tuition-free Arts Education programs. The nonprofit hosts 75 events a year including live music, theater, educational programming, and more.
You can find out more about Stuart’s by visiting stuartsoperahouse.org .
The day’s musical entertainment starts around noon each day at one of four stages on the Snow Fork grounds.
The Campground Stage is at the campground and hosts morning yoga and other events and an after-party of sorts after the main musical entertainment closes the festival for the day.
The Creekside Stage was new to NMF in 2023. Tucked away in the woods, the stage is under the shade of forest that will most likely have several hammocks left by festival goers hanging on the tree trunks. It offers a more intimate feel for musicians to connect with the audience.
The Porch Stage has moved around through the years. In 2023, it was on top of a hill, visible from the main stage — Snow Fork Stage.
Snow Fork Stage is where the day’s headliners will perform in the evening.
Vendors, ranging from food trucks to artisans to local businesses to nonprofits, are scattered along the way to each stage. The Athens Public Library helped put together a play area for children, where they could participate in arts and crafts or try out instruments.
There really is something for everyone to do.
The festival features big names in music, such as Killer Mike, and also those who are just starting out. You can here local artists like the Caitlin Kraus Band (1:30 p.m. Satuday) and follow it up with a performance by someone who has never performed in Ohio before.
And don’t worry about not going every day, some performers, such as Michael Hurley, Laurel Premo and the Sensational Barnes Brothers, will perform multiple sets during the event.
The festival would be impossible to pull off in southeast Ohio if not for the dedicated staff and volunteers, such as Lynn and Bob Garbo, of Nelsonville.
According to Stuart’s Opera House, the Garbos have been dedicated to public service by serving on various nonprofits and other groups.
Lynn served on the Stuart’s Opera House board from Feb. 19, 2008 to mid-2011. Her advocacy for her native Nelsonville is unwavering.
“It’s in my blood and is rewarding work,” she says. “It’s about giving back to my hometown.”
Today, Lynn continues to serve as a volunteer at the Opera House and at NMF in her upbeat, spirited way.
Bob Garbo spent 38 years of his professional career with Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), which helps families and individuals improve their quality of life.
He also served on the Opera House Board, and served as Campaign Co-Chair during Stuart’s successful $4.2 million Capital Campaign from 2011-2014.
“People give to good things,” he says of the campaign’s success. “Stuart’s successful programming had nothing but good things to offer.”
He stepped off the board in 2019. They both usher shows at the facility and volunteer at NMF.
NMF is tied to the community. It can be seen in the Passion Works artwork displayed throughout the event. The commitment to being a zero-waste musical festival has been going strong for years. It helps people in southeast Ohio participate in and enjoy the arts.
Who knows, maybe someone at the NMF will come back to perform at Stuart’s Opera House. Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of music right in your own backyard.
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