The 6th annual HillTap Festival returns to Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville on Saturday, July 25, with Binghamton Americana band Driftwood headlining. The unique one-day festival integrates outdoor activities and live music from three bands on two stages, with a chairlift ride connecting the mountaintop and base performances.
Formed in 2005 in Binghamton, Driftwood fuses traditional Americana with contemporary influences, leaning alternately into folk, old-time, country, punk and rock depending on their personal moods and songs’ needs. The band consists of Dan Forsyth (guitar, vocals), Joe Kollar (banjo, guitar, percussion, vocals), Claire Byrne (violin, vocals), Joey Arcuri (upright bass, vocals) and Sam Fishman (drums). Driftwood has toured nationally and taken the main stage at Grassroots Festival, Borderland Festival and more.
The band won the 2009 GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance band competition, earning a performance slot at the prestigious Finger Lakes festival. They’ve released six albums, including December Last Call, recorded in the basement where founding members Forsyth and Kollar started making music as high schoolers.
The HillTap Festival begins with a chairlift ride up to Spruce Lake with live music, adventure activities and craft food and beverages. Buffalo’s Ed Croft & Tina Williams bring their sound to the top of the mountain beginning at 1 p.m. The music then heads back down the mountain with Maryland-based Pressing Strings opening for Driftwood, marking the rock and roots band’s first time performing in Western New York.
John Cimperman, Founder of 42 North Brewery, noted there is no better place to merge great music, adventure and craft beverages. He emphasized HillTap is truly a one-of-a-kind event, citing the ski lift connecting stages as unique among festivals in the country.
Tickets for the full day of music and adventure are $45. A twilight ticket is available for $35, providing admission to the base of the mountain for the final two musical performances. Children 10 and under attend free, and parking is free for all attendees. The event runs from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m.
For tickets and more information, visit hilltapfestival.com.
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