Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm Celebrating Birthday Bash July 5

HALCOTTSVILLE — Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm will be celebrating a birthday bash on July 5 at its location at 1 Bragg Hollow Rd in Halcottsville. It will be a perfect summer day enjoying the kayaking and the grounds, starting at 10am and featuring live music starting at 4 p.m. The celebration will note the birth of our great nation and Susan Kelly's on the previous day.

On Wawaka Lake, the popular destination has expanded its offerings, and plans to show its appreciation to the public. 

“I see this growing by leaps and bounds,” said James Kelly.

Sonny Rock out of Windham of Woodstock fame is bringing a Grateful Dead cover band called Jerry’s Chicken Shack. After their opening set the stage will be open to local musicians and guests. All are invited to play and encouraged to bring their instruments for a fun time!

There will be local eateries offering food.

Kelly said that he and Susan “are thrilled” with the plans so far.

He said that Sonny hadn’t been to the farm prior, and was astonished with the land. There are miles of scenic walking trails and a great view of Lake Wawaka, as well as a swimming hole at a bend in the river. At the time, a fully mature bald eagle passed overhead.

“He thinks it’s a really special place on the planet,” Kelly said. 

The staff installed scenic rock gardens and plantings this spring. On the water they introduced three new RowYaks; a boat that combines the best aspects of a kayak with a sliding rowing seat and oars that allows for two people to face each other while on the water. Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm is the first local destination to feature the RowYak.

“We’ve found nature’s peace” and offers a chance for a “catskills adventure,” said James Kelly.

The Farm is still looking for vendors and sponsors to join us on this day of fun! If your business is interested give us a call 607-326-4266.

Included in the day’s events are:

Sonny Rock, Drummer

Sonny is an accomplished bicoastal touring/session drummer, radio host, and 2012 NYS Blues Hall of Fame inductee. Throughout his prolific career, he has performed and recorded with legends ranging from Bryan Adams and The Cult to members of Kiss, The Who, and Aerosmith. Currently drumming for artists like Tas Cru and Lex Grey, Sonny is also an active producer, musical director, and International Blues Challenge judge. Deeply rooted in the community, he hosts the Local Licks Radio Show on WRIP, promotes major regional benefit concerts, and founded the Sonny Rock Music Scholarship to support the next generation of musicians.

Jon Coghill, Guitarist and Singer

Jon is an upstate NY based freelance musician who has been performing and recording in the area for the past 30 years. He is equally at home playing bass or guitar and also sings lead and back up vocals. Jon plays everything from Blues, Rock, RnB, Funk, Reggae and Country music to Latin Jazz. He has performed/recorded with: Ronnie Spector, Maria Muldaur, Commander Cody, Garth Hudson, Bruce Katz, Gregg Allman/Allman Bros, Randy Ciarlante (The Band), John Platania (Van Morrison), Gary Burke, Graham Maby (Joe Jackson), Eric Parket (Steve Winwood, Joe Cocker), John Berenzy, Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers and Tas Cru. John is currently fronting the Torpedos and The Spillway Band and also doing solo and duo gigs. 

Dave Imbarrato, Bassist

Dave has been gigging in Upstate New York over the past three decades performing a vast array of music that includes contemporary pop, blues/R&B and a wide range of classic rock. As a longtime Dead Head, Dave has attended 46 Grateful Dead shows (that he can remember) up and down the east coast between 1979 and 1995.

Dave Giardinelli-O’Connor, Guitarist

Dave has been the frontman and principal songwriter for indie pop band Starcode since the early 90s. During that time, he played guitar for Grateful Dead Tributes, Jerry’s Chicken Shack, Bigfoot County, and The CT Grateful Dead Allstars. Additionally, Dave has played bass for NYC Band Infusion and the Allman Brothers’ Tribute ‘Muscle Shoals.’ He has toured globally, playing at festivals and venues of all sizes. You can now catch Dave, not only with Muscle Shoals, Jerry’s Chicken Shack, and Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, but as a solo artist performing up and down the East Coast.