ON TAP: HillTAP Festival
ON TAP: HillTAP Festival
Annual Event Returns to Holiday Valley, July 27th
Photos / Holiday Valley
EAST AURORA - The 4th annual HillTAP Festival will return to Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY on Saturday, July 27th. This popular event, at one of the most unique venues in the region, integrates a full day of outdoor activities and live music from three bands on two stages.
The HillTAP Festival begins with a chairlift ride up to Spruce Lake with live music, adventure activities, and craft food and beverages. The festival then heads back down the mountain for two additional bands to wrap up a full day of entertainment. “HillTAP is truly a one-of-a-kind event,” said 42 North Brewery Founder, John Cimperman. “The opportunity to host something like this at the top of the mountain is truly unique. There is no better venue to merge great music, adventure, and craft beverages.”
Niki Klein, Director of Resort Services at Holiday Valley added, “It’s great to partner with 42 North on this event. Their adventurous spirit fits our DNA. We encourage attendees to spend the morning hiking and biking the trails and then spend the afternoon up at Spruce Lake.”
The music line-up for this year’s HillTAP Festival will feature three popular regional bands on two stages. Smilo & The Ghost will bring its folk-rock sounds to the top of the mountain beginning at 1:00pm. Smilo & The Ghost has opened for national acts across the country and its debut album, Ghost Writers, was voted as a ‘top three album’ by Erie Reader in 2018.
The music then heads back down the mountain with two bands. Miller & The Other Sinners, from Buffalo, NY will deliver its southern soul sounds and debut songs from its recently released album, Thieves in the Breadline. The festival concludes with a special performance from Workingman’s Dead with a respectful and enthusiastic tribute to The Grateful Dead.
The vendor line-up at HillTAP includes SUP Erie Adventures, Mud, Sweat, n’ Gears, Tom’s Pro Bikes, Holiday Valley E-Bikes, 716 Fly Fishing, and Hatchet & Hops. Each of the vendors will be offering product exhibitions and demonstrations so attendees are encouraged to bring their adventure gear to take part. Additionally, regional food trucks will be on-site during the festival.
Advanced tickets are now on sale for $45 and include free parking, a lift ticket up to Spruce Lake, and a full-day of music and adventure sports demos and clinics. A twilight ticket will also be offered that provides admission to the base of the mountain only, for the final two musical performances. Tent camping and RV camping spots are available for an additional fee.
The event runs from 12:00-9:00m. For tickets and more information on HillTAP, log onto www.hilltapfestival.com.