Ryan Matter (Undated file photo)

MORRIS – The Butternut Valley Alliance released the line up of performers and other attractions at the Butternut Valley Summer Harvest Festival to be held on Saturday, August 17, from noon to 6:00pm in Rathbun Park, 117 Main Street, Village of Morris.

Headlining the list of performers is the Ryan Matter Band, a Texas-blues power trio originating in Texas and now based in the Utica area. Lead Singer/songwriter Ryan Matter got his start while working at a live Texas music venue where he met artists on the Red Dirt Music Scene, who, on seeing the fire in his eye and hearing his unique sound, encouraged him to release his music. His sound is a fusion of the music that cultivated him as an artist including Social Distortion, The Ramones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and more.

The band has fans nationwide, performs in venues across the country and has developed a strong regional following here in NYS.

The full lineup of performances is:

Khalil Carney: Noon-1 p.m.

Elysian Blue: 1:15-2:45

Otsego School of Dance and Performing Arts: 3:00-3:15

Ryan Matter Band: 3:30-5:00

Local Seisiún 5:05-6:00.

Other attractions include the Morris Farmer’s Market, free food and ice cream, numerous exhibitors and arts and crafts vendors, goats for petting, antique tractors, door prizes, face painting, rock painting, raffles, and more.

Food options include Philippines style lamb stew by The Empire House Hotel & Fine Dining in Gilbertsville, burgers and dogs by Gates-and 2021 (flooding). First-time Event Manager Gabi Eklund, whose father, Bob Eklund, was instrumental in the founding of BVA and of the

Summer Harvest Festival, said, "I am really excited to be a part of this event. I predict it will be the best ever."

BVA Chairperson Ed Lentz agreed and added, "We’re very happy to be putting on this event again. It’s a good time with plenty of attractions for kids as well as young and not so young adults and a good chance to meet with friends, old and new, from throughout the watershed and beyond."

Limited parking is available in the firehouse parking lot, where an area for persons requiring assistance will be provided. Other parking is available behind Naylor’s on Main Street, with on-street parking on Main and Church Streets.

BVA is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization whose mission is to encourage the Butternut Creek watershed to become an even better place to live, work, and play. Our activities connect communities, protect the environment, and promote the arts.

Additional information can be found here. For more information, please contact Event Manager Gabi Eklund at gabbimusic1@gmail.com or (607) 201-9772 or BVA Chairperson Ed Lentz at edlentz@mac.com or (607) 435-8566.

– Information from the Butternut Valley Alliance