Johnny Cake Festival

Description

Johnny Cake Festival: October 20 & 21, 2012 - Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free: Parking ~ Tours ~ Food/Beverages/Sweets/Wine Samples ~ Old World Demos ~ Live Music
Celebrate the harvest during this authentic, New England celebration!  This is a not-to-be missed event for family and friends of all ages.  Enjoy free samples of seasonal fare, beverages, sweets, snacks, Johnny Cakes, and more.  Sample local wine and beer, and purchase by the glass.  Take a tour of the historic mill, enjoy a colonial encampment, visit with the alpacas and sheep, listen to live music, and watch a variety of old-world demonstrations along the scenic Queen’s River and waterfall.
Purchase: From over 85 Local Vendors ~ Food, Beverages, Sweets, Wines by the Glass, Art/Gifts
Support local businesses by purchasing from a variety of food, art, and products from area farms, artisans, and restaurants.

Admission & Free Samples
This year, the admission is only $2.  Children 5 and under are free.  For more information on admission and a list of free samples, click here.  More details are coming soon.

Food & Clothing Donations
Volunteers will be collecting donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items, as well as seasonal clothing to benefit the Jonnycake Center.  Although this is optional, please consider donating.  Anything can make a difference.  To learn about the Jonnycake Center, click here.

Where is Usquepaugh, Rhode Island?
Usquepaugh is pronounced ‘uhs-kah-pog’.  What does it mean?  ‘Usque’ means fire, life or spirit and ‘paugh’ means water.  Just as hundreds of towns and villages are named by local Native American Indian origin, you might hear us say that Usquepaugh is somewhere between Quonochontaug and Escoheag!  Although that is very true, it may be easier to explain that Usquepaugh is in the town of West Kingston, which is in South Kingstown, which is in South County, which is in Rhode Island.  This quaint town, surrounding the Queen’s River is located off Route 138, 5 miles from Route 95 and 5 miles from the University of Rhode Island.  Click here to learn more about the history of the property.

Directions & Free Parking
Our old-fashioned mill and property are located in a scenic, peaceful residential area of the village of Usquepaugh.  This vintage setting is not equipped with a large cement-slab parking lot or a parking garage to accommodate a crowd.  Our vendors will be set up in our usual parking areas, as well as three separate locations in walking distance along the Queen's River.  Therefore, parking at and around the mill, as well as on Route 138 is prohibited.  Free parking will be exclusively at the Washington County Fairgrounds (on the way from Route 95). Free shuttle buses will be running continuously throughout the event.  The narrated bus ride only takes a few minutes, with a drop off right in the center of the festivities.  You may come and go throughout the day as you please.  This transportation doesn't come free on our part, but it allows us to respect our neighbors, prevent traffic blockages, and preserve the tranquility of the event...a much better experience for all.  Take a step back in time...listen to the birds and waterfall and relax by the beautiful Queen's River.  We are excited about more buses and excellent organization this year.  For detailed directions & more information, click here or call 800-7-KENYON.

Three Vendor Locations
All locations are in walking distance, are relatively close to one another, and will have a mix of food and art.
1) The Mill Yard (around the mill and pictured above)
2) The Earthen Dam (by the waterfall and bus stop)
3) The Deep End or Old Hen Yard (the newest festival area along the river and across from the earthen dam)

Mill Tours & Grinding Process ~ Saturday & Sunday / Narrated, Half Hour Tours
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Doors will be open for viewing in-between tours.  For more information on free mill tours, click here.

Tentative Live Music Schedule
Look below for a list of musicians throughout the weekend.  Our special guest, Bill E. Payne is playing both days!  Enjoy his song, "Johnny Cakes", as well as other songs.  Uncle Funk will play "Clam Cakes & Chowder" and more on Saturday.




Saturday: Mill Stage
10 - 10:30 a.m. and 11 - 11:30 a.m. ~ Maria Bilyue (Cello) - Info / Listen
12 - 12:30 p.m. and 1 - 1:30 p.m. ~ Susan M. Sposato (Electric Fiddle) - Info
2 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 3:30 p.m. ~ Farm Dog (Organic Old-Time) - Info
4 - 5 p.m. ~ Pending...

Saturday: Main Stage
10:30 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. ~ Cat Country Radio (Live Broadcast) - Info
12:30 - 1 p.m. and 1:30 - 2 p.m. ~ Uncle Funk (Rock & Blues - "Clam Cakes & Chowder" song) - Info / Listen
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ~ Bill E. Payne (Blues & Folk - "Johnny Cakes" song) ~ Info / Listen
4 - 5 p.m. ~ Bob & Nancy Duo ~ Info / Listen

Sunday: Mill Stage
10 - 10:30 a.m. and 11 - 11:30 a.m. ~ Rick Spencer (Traditional Sea Music) - Info / Listen
12 - 12:30 p.m. and 1 - 1:30 p.m. ~ Blue Around the Edges (Acoustic Old-Time) - Info / Listen
2 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 3:30 p.m. ~ Lover's First Quarrel (Appalachian) - Info / Listen
4 - 5 p.m. ~ Pending...

Sunday: Main Stage
10:30 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. ~ Pending...
12:30 - 1 p.m. and 1:30 - 2 p.m. ~ Southern Rhode (Bluegrass & Americana) - Info / Listen
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ~ Bill E. Payne (Blues & Folk - "Johnny Cakes" song) - Info / Listen
4 - 5 p.m. ~ Brother's Drumm - Info