Editor's pick: Back to basics

The 10th annual Wheeliefest brings you rock ‘n roll without the corporate glitz

WHEN: Saturday, August 23. Gates open at 12:00 noon.

WHERE: Fantasy Island, near Rowland, PA.

COST: $70 per person in advance; $75 the day of the show. Includes food.

CONTACT: realrockpro.com, myspace.com/wheeliefest or call 570/685-1177.

ROWLAND, PA — Those who long for the days when Yasgur’s farm had not yet been fenced and groomed might want to take a look at the 10th anniversary Wheeliefest, a grassroots independent music festival with the motto “by the fans, for the fans.” It will be held on Saturday, August 23 at Fantasy Island near Rowland, PA, a privately owned facility with a large open-air pavilion where visitors can not only enjoy a panoply of rock bands but jump off a rope swing into the water, swim, wander the woods or just sit and enjoy the refreshments included in the ticket price.

There will be a DJ and rope-swing contest in the afternoon, dinner at 5:00 and live bands starting at 6:00. Since 1999, Wheeliefest has had a history of attracting bands that have been hogtied and frustrated by their record labels, including Marc Ford of the Black Crowes, The Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, American Minor, The Trews, Damon Johnson (Brother Cane) and the Four Horsemen. This year, bands will include Super Stack, Medusa Stone, the Scott Weis Band, Jive Mother Mary and Bud Carroll & The Southern Souls. Wheeliefest is a freewheeling event (as the name might suggest) where everyone, including the bands and their families, can mingle without being hampered by the usual commercial constraints.

Fantasy Island features a lake with a white sand beach, an island with cross bridge and rope swing and clean modern facilities. Admission to the venue includes an all-you-can-eat catered dinner, unlimited free refreshments for the entire event, camping, swimming and horseshoes. There are nearby hotels on Lake Wallenpaupack for those who don’t wish to camp, but the party usually lasts until sun-up.