Local History with Dede Terns-Thorpe - Festivals at Beautiful Hunter Mountain

HUNTER - Festivals at Beautiful Hunter Mountain, New York 1988 – 37 years ago.

It is difficult to believe, but we thought the festivals would last forever. But that did not happen. Bev Feml gave me these brochures which I wanted to share. They began early June to early September.

Festivals Prices are shown for just 1 day, although 2- and 3-day tickets were for sale.

The Italian Festival’s at $1.00 starred ENZO STUARTI with W. Monica Bardolino next, and the Innocenti, a dynamic Italian American group.

The German Alps Festival and Goebel fest fee was $4.00 and 1988 was their 15thyear. It starred Freddie Beck and Tony Marshall.

For all 16 days the 30-piece brass band from the Bavarian Underland played.                             

The Hunter Country Music Festival Part 1 priced at $14.00 starred Janie Frickie, Carl Perkins, Charley Pride, Dottie West, Conway Twitty, John Conlee, and Chet Atkins.

Part II of the Country Festival, also $14.00 (about $40.00 today) starred Earl Thomas Conley, Yanya Tucker, Don Williams, Johnny Russell, David Lynn Jones, and Merle Haggard.

The National Polka Festival at $7.50 starred “The Polish Prince,” Bobby Vinton. Other highlights included free polka lessons, a polka contest, and much more.

The Celtic Festival, $7.50, starred the Wolfle Tones, and a debut by Barley Bree. Over four hundred marchers and bagpipers marched down slope B at Hunter Mt. Impressive to watch.

The Goldies Festival, $7.50, starred Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Sammy Kaye, and Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians.

The Mountain Eagle Indian Festival, $4.00, boasted color, excitement, and thrills when 100s of tribe members gathered in the “Land of the Sky.”

Festivals took place Rain or Shine, under “the largest tent in the world.”

Thank you to Bev Feml for saving and sharing these 1988 brochures.

Thanks for reading.

Stay safe and be well. Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunterhistorian@gmail.com