VENUE SPOTLIGHT
Morrisvile, PA
Check out some really cool video that showcases the farm both in and out of a musical weekend! There is video in the area below this article featuring the HustleBand!
We have spent most of our time spotlighting venues that are nightclubs, music spots that are a hole in the wall in some urban location, hosting music several nights a week and a place that is a combination of waterhole and music mecca. But there are many kinds of music venues, and as summer approaches and festival season nears, it’s time to get outside!
Tucked in that weird geographical spot where you’re not sure if it’s NJ, PA, NY is a bucolic farm of trees and pastures, a place called Snipes Farm. For seven years, this wonderful place has been hosting musical events and has seen some excellent bands pass through their gates including Keller Williams, Blue Traveller, Dave Bromberg, the Radiators, Railroad Earth, and more. We took some time to speak with Don Dix, who is currently the keeper of the gate, to find out more about Snipes Farm.
LMN&R: What are some of your favorite musical memories from shows that happened at the farm?
Don: There are so many memories from the past seven years... Going back a few years, the Delaware River Keepers Network hosted a weekend with Railroad Earth, David Bromberg and others. I meet up David Bromberg in line for Gelato. Later that same day I was hanging out with Todd Sheaffer (Railroad Earth) watching David Brombergs set. What an amazing act.
A little more recently, while walking the festival grounds last year at our "In and Out of the Garden We Go" I passed the playground to see one kid next to another playing at the sand box, all wearing tie-dye.
LMN&R: What drove you to get involved in this crazy business?
Don: First and most important, The Love of Live Music! As far as Music at Snipes Farm goes.. It's the venue...I feel we have something different for the area.
LMN&R: What are some of the things that are completely unique about Snipes Farm compared to other facilities?
Don: Over the past 10 year especially the festival scene has exploded, You see lots of festivals come onto a piece of property, do their event and leave until the following year. One of the aspects I feel make Music at Snipes Farm stand out is we are using a piece of this working farm as a music venue, hosting a variety of events all summer long. Jam Bands one weekend, the Blues another, hey lets not forget Bluegrass. A total of six events for summer 2010 so Far. Then you take our location, We are right off of major highways, minutes from Philadelphiaand an hour from New York City.
LMN&R: Tell us more about that part of Pennsylvaniaand that part of the country?
Don: BucksCountyused to be lots and lots of farms and we all know how that is going. Suburbia grows, industrial Americaspreads, and somehow in the middle of all this the Snipes Family were able to preserve this farm. Not without struggles or offers to develop the property, but the family has a long history and continues to work hard to preserve the land and make it a value to the community.
LMN&R: What is it about the region and landscape that lead to good musical events?
Don: Dating back for 323 years the farm has been passed down through the family. Back in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the family became a leading propagator and grower of rare plants and trees on the east coast. Remains from the nursery stock are all over grounds. Throughout the venue we are surround by large trees, providing ample shade. So you can add an attractive environment with a location right between Philadelphiaand New Yorkto our list of qualites! It makes for the perfect setting to go and see music
LMN&R: What is your dream lineup for an event at Snipes Farms?
Don: The list could be so long it is boggling! I can tell you my personal wish list, though. I would like to see Railroad Earth return, those guys are great. I would also like to see Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon! Dark Star Orchestra? Mickey Hart's and Planet Drum? I could go on, and will! Peter Rowan, Gov't Mule.. And then there are the bands not to many people know about, the local up and coming artist..
To introduce a group or artist to the people is great.
LMN&R: How do you go about filtering who can rent and use the Farm?
Don: First, our main consideration would be the respect of the land. Then, a production company being involved that sees the vision of what the farm can be and is. We are not the only people working on the farm, producers must understand that the farm hosts summer camps, school groups, has close to 100 acres of land for the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture. We want to create something with a value and a good sense of community.
So be sure to get out of the city this summer, and go to Snipes Farm and check out the variety of musical events that are happening. You can support a variety of excellent causes from the arts to sustainable agriculture, to haulting the spread of urban development and sprawl! That’s not bad for one trip to the country to see a band! And its convenient location is another bonus- there are literally nearly 20 million people within 2 hours of this wonderful location, so go down and check it out!
UPCOMING SHOWS AT Snipes:
Phan Phare: May 14-15
Zach Deputy, Yarn, U-Melt, Splintered Sunlight, Cabinet, Lemon Juice, the Juggling Suns, Jimkata, The Indobox, and more.
In and Out of the Garden We Go: June 12
Acoustic Pangea, Steal Your Face, Toni Brown Band, Reflections, Deadbolt, Only Footprints.
Mixxer : June 25
Ghost in the Woods, Groove Train Riders, MIXXTAPE, The Wallace Bros, Blackflower, and more.
BucksCountyBlues Society Picnic: July 17
Ab n' Jax: August 7
BucksCountyBluesgrass Festival: September 11
Boulevard Express, Hilltown, The Rockdale Boys, Sullys Fortune, Reverse Curve, Painted Blue, Hogmaw
Additional Info:
Where is the Snipes Farm located?
Our Address Is: 882 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA19067
From the PennsylvaniaTurnpike: Exit 351 (Old Exit #28 - Philadelphia, US-1, I-95) Get onto US-1 North Go 12 miles and get off at the Morrisville Exit (PA SR 32 North, left hand exit) At bottom of ramp, make a U-turn (yes, it's legal) Snipes Farm is on the right, after the U-turn
From Philadelphia and Princeton, NJ via I-95: Take Exit 46A (Old Exit #29A - Morrisville, Oxford Valley Mall, Sesame Place, US-1 North Proceed approx. 4 miles and get off at the Morrisville Exit (PA SR 32 North, left hand exit) At bottom of ramp, make a U-turn ((es, it's legal) Snipes Farm is on the right, after the U-turn
From Trenton via US-1 South Toll Bridge: After the toll bridge, take the first exit (Morrisville, PennsylvaniaAve. North) At the first light, make a left onto West Bridge St. Snipes Farm is one mile down on the right.
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Rules and Regulations?
Music at Snipes Farm is located on a real farm. All of our events are family friendly!
Respect the environment. Please use trash and recycling provided by the festival.
NO PETS ALLOWED ANYWHERE ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS.
NO illegal drugs, weapons, fireworks or NITROUS TANKS are allowed on the festival grounds. Violators will be ejected from the facility and subject to prosecution under local, state, and federal laws. We're serious folks.
Under age drinking is strictly prohibited.
Park only in designated parking areas.
NO GLASS PLEASE
Please listen to and respect all staff members. Your safety and well-being is their #1 concern.
Unauthorized vending is not permitted.
Finally the most important rule of all: The golden rule. Please be respectful of your neighbors and consider their comfort.
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Campgrounds and Camping
Can we leave the festival grounds and re-enter?
No, we are sorry for the inconvenience.
Will pets be allowed in the venue / camp grounds?
NO PETS!!! PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME.
Will RVs be allowed? Do we have to reserve a spot?
RVs will be allowed to access camp sites in the RV Campground. Limited quantities of sites are available.
What will we be allowed to bring into the campgrounds?
You can bring your own food and beverage into the camp ground areas. Please no charcoal grills or open fires, propane grills are excellent. Acoustic music is welcome. No electrified music gear in the campgrounds please.
How far is the concert venue from the camping areas?
All campgrounds are within walking distance of the concert field.
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Vending
Can I become a Vendor?
All vendors are hand selected in advance. This is done to ensure an exciting variety of items for our music fans. Please contact our Vendor Coordinator to get on the list.
Is it too late to apply?
No. Applications will be available in a few months. Requests for an Vendor Application form will not be accepted after this time.
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Volunteering
Are you accepting volunteers?
We are always looking for interesting, fun-loving, hardworking folks to volunteer to make our festival the best each year.Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to get started.
What does a volunteer do?
Our volunteers do a variety of tasks that make our festivals and concerts possible, from parking the patrons, taking tickets, checking in other volunteers and performers, aiding our camping patrons, providing safety and security, to helping serve the food to our volunteers and/or musicians.
What does a volunteer get in return for their time?
A volunteer gets free access to the festival as well as free camping. Being a volunteer is a great way to meet a community of other like-minded individuals, where friendships and memories are made and remembered for a lifetime, so yeah... you get that too.
