Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Fest back again in June

Jun 8, 2023

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

KETTLE CREEK — The Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass (SCJ) festival keeps expanding as it approaches almost two decades of bringing national and international acts to North Central Pennsylvania.

"I have termed our festival as a roots-to-branches bluegrass festival. Bluegrass is like a tree that is allowed to grow. The roots of the bluegrass tree are the traditional 50's and 60's music, but it has evolved," said Ron Kodish, festival founder.

From Thursday, June 15, through June 17, SCJ takes over Quiet Oaks Campground at 88 Quiet Oaks Campground Lane, in Cross Forks, offering an array of bluegrass acts.

"There is always something there to discover and allows us to draw a wider range of attendees to the festival," said Kodish.

For Rhianna Speck, of Linden, she and her family have been attending the festival for 13 years.

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

"We keep coming back because we love the laid-back atmosphere and music," she said.

This year's lineup includes national acts and one Canadian band on two separate stages.

"I think people are going to be floored by their music," said Kodish, when talking about The Hillbenders, who are featured performers.

And when asked about The Slocan Ramblers, another featured act, Kodish said, "They are the 2022 bluegrass group of the year in Canada. They are closer to traditional bluegrass."

Now in its 19th year, the festival prides itself on featuring up and coming musicians.

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

"We are kind of a proving ground for bands and people have come to expect that," said Kodish.

Fest goers also expect the music to continue, once the main stages are shuttered each night.

"The campfire jams are legendary. Once the stages close down you will hear music and song until 3 or 4 in the morning," said the festival organizer.

Since some attendees camp out, they get a full music festival experience and those late night music sessions near the campfire are a big part of that.

"We expect 3,000 people at the festival, with 1,500 to 2,000 people that will be camping," said Kodish.

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

Speck will be one of those campers and she is looking forward to the camaraderie with fellow campers.

"SCJ has many returning festival goers and over the years we have grown close to some and love seeing some familiar faces," she said.

In addition to the music, camping and food, there is one more aspect to love about SCJ. Proceeds from the event have always benefitted the Lupus Foundation. The non-profit is dear to Kodish's heart, since his wife was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. During the music fest, there will be a three-day auction to raise needed funding for the foundation.

Kodish revealed, "We have raised over $41,000 for the Lupus Foundation, since 2004. Our goal this year is to raise enough through our auction to go over $50,000."

For more information about the music festival visit smokedcountryjam.com or purplepass.com/scj2023 for tickets.

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOPROVIDED

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

A selection of musical acts attending Smoked Country Jams are pictured.PHOTOS PROVIDED

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