(Honesdale, June 5th, 2017)… For the third consecutive year, sign language interpreter Kim Hodder will be on stage at Honesdale’s Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. Kim will interpret the beginning and the close of the 12th annual festival on June 17th. The free family event will officially open in Honesdale’s Central Park around 1:30 pm with a welcome from PA State Representative John Fritz and the singing of the National Anthem. Then, the first act, The Bruce Katz Band will kick off an afternoon and evening of entertainment.
Hodder, Physical Therapist Assistant, is employed by Wayne Memorial Rehabilitation Services. She trained for one year in an Interpreter for the Deaf program at Lackawanna College and really looks forward to helping the hearing impaired enjoy Roots & Rhythm. “It’s a pleasure,” she says, “and everyone is so nice!”
After the opening, Hodder will return later in the afternoon, after Thomas Wynn & The Believers and No Good Sister to help announce the winners of the Roots Raffle and interpret some of the songs by the headliner, Larkin Poe.
While the main schedule is focused on Central Park, the Roots event has grown to encompass much more: a morning of local bands playing downtown on Main Street, tethered hot-air balloon rides offered by Re/Max Wayne and this year, the night before, a free movie night combined with live music at Black & Brass Coffee Roasting Company presented by Canaltown and Black & Brass. Black & Brass, 520 Main Street, is also sponsoring music the day of the festival, with entertainment sponsored by Black & Brass and Twisted Rail. Roots & Rhythm’s Late Night Ramble with The Bruce Katz Band will also take place the night of June 17th at The Cooperage, 1030 Main Street.
Roots & Rhythm is a non-profit music and arts festival produced by volunteers and supported by donations, sponsors, grants and the sale of raffle tickets and Roots merchandise. It includes artist’s wares on display and for sale, food vendors and Tunes & Tales for the whole family.
For more information about the festival, visit www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com or visit the festival on Facebook.
Photo: Kim Hodder, sign language interpreter at the 2016 Honesdale Roots & Rhythm.