The Summit Hill Community Improvement Organization (SHCIO) will present a unique community music festival on Sunday, Aug. 19.

It is the 'Summit Hill Hootenanny!'This first time community event will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Ludlow Park, 114 W. Ludlow St.What is a Hootenanny?The Summit Hill Hootenanny is a celebration of the folk music, history, culture, crafts, food and beauty of the borough and the surrounding area.This free event is open to the public and features a day-long festival of free music, free workshops, great ethnic foods, craft vendors, children's activities, cornhole tournament, and more.The festivities will also include the grand opening of the new Summit Hill Historical Society Museum directly across from the park in a local historic landmark.Free musical and dance workshops will be held in the gazebo in the park where you can learn about the hammer dulcimer, old-time clogging (a form of folk dance), ukulele, hula-hooping, and drumming.Visitors are encouraged to bring your own lawn chair to sit and enjoy the music. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring their own hula-hoop, ukulele, dulcimer, or hand drum to join in the fun!The six featured musical groups performing throughout the day include Jupiter's Arrow, Shane & Livi, Jay Smar, Coal County Express, Free Range Folk, and Dakini.In the event of rain, the show and festivities will be moved across the street to the Hill Top Community Center, next to the fire house. Either way, the show will go on!"The stellar lineup of entertainment is chock-full of homegrown talent. Nearly every musician involved has ties to the Summit Hill community, and is delighted to have the chance to play in beautiful Ludlow Park. We're hoping to start a great new tradition in town," said Sara Ruch, Chairperson of the event and Project Manager of the Lansford-Summit Hill Community Partnership.The Summit Hill Hootenanny is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) and presented by the Summit Hill Community Improvement Organization.For more information, please visit

www.summithillhoot.com or call Sara Ruch at (570) 645-7561.