NHSAP To Conclude With Labor Day Picnic
Ron McVey, one of the main organizers of the annual Fiddler's Picnic, and Sue Noll, secretary/treasurer of the New Holland Summer Arts Program (NHSAP), are happy to be planning the end-of-summer event once again. "It's nice to be able to hold it this year," said McVey.
"A lot of people are excited about it," said Noll, who has been fielding calls from area residents who want to make sure it will be held. NHSAP did not hold any events in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year's picnic will be held on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the New Holland Community Memorial Park, which is located in the 400 block of Jackson Street, New Holland. Live music will begin at 10 a.m. when the Summit Hill Bluegrass band will take the stage. Musicians are encouraged to arrive early to reserve a slot on the park stage. Square dancing, under the direction of Glenn - The One-Man Band will be held in the Kiwanis Pavilion from 1 to 3 p.m.
The performance schedule allows a group to sign up for a 30-minute spot and a single or duo to register for 15 minutes. Usually 15 or more acts perform, and the picnic is often a place for musicians to join up to make music together.
Individuals who play accordion, banjo, ukulele, bass, guitar, as well as those who sing, often take part. "I have seen flutes as well," recalled Noll, who noted that musicians often team up to play together. "Whether they are strangers or have known each other all their lives, (they form groups)," she noted. Well-known favorites that are often heard in the park include "Turkey in the Straw," "Dueling Banjos," "Shenandoah Breakdown," and "Ragtime Annie."
The picnic portion of the event is supplied by the New Holland Lions Club, which brings its food trailer and offers items for purchase. According to Lions Club representative James Bronson, club members will serve the organization's signature hot ham sandwiches, barbecue chicken halves, chicken corn soup, hot dogs, and beverages. Members of the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) marching band will help the Lions in the trailer. In return, the Lions will make a donation to the GSHS Marching Band Booster Club. Charles Ludwig Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7632 will sell water at the event.
A queen-size quilt made and donated by the Garden Spot Village Quilters will be given away at the picnic. The quilt features 20 hand-appliqued tulip blocks set on point against a background of white and hunter green.
NHSAP is an all-volunteer organization that has existed in New Holland for more than four decades. Noll said that new volunteers are always welcome. No admission is charged for NHSAP events, but freewill offerings are received. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. To learn more about NHSAP, visit http://www.newhollandsummerarts.com or search for "New Holland Summer Arts Association" on Facebook. Those interested in volunteering may email through a link on the aforementioned website, send a Facebook message, or call 717-355-9795.
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