Central PA Ragtime & Music Fest 2024

The 15th annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival this year continued a change begun last year. This festival is held in mid- to late September in the small communities of Orbisonia and Rockhill, with a kickoff concert in the “metropolis” of Huntingdon (pop. 8000). Rockhill is the home of the East Broad Top Railroad, the only narrow-gauge line east of the Rockies that currently carries tourists on round trips of about nine miles. It is also the home of the Rockhill Trolley Museum which is adjacent to the EBT’s tracks. Thus, an underlying theme of the festival is rail transportation. Orbisonia’s connection lies in the fact that indoor concerts and symposium are held at the Presbyterian church there. The church and train station are only about half a mile apart. Because of its location, the festival is limited in its ability to grow. That is unfortunate given the caliber of talent that performs here. I happened to speak with a couple from Bedford, PA, about 50 miles away, who came one day to visit the trolley museum. They did not know about the festival and even within five miles of Rockhill did not see any advertising for it. This couple has gone on many Road Scholar trips, one of which was in New Orleans led by clarinetist Pete Fountain. When they happened to see pianist Adam Swanson performing on the platform at the EBT they said he was better than any