Fox Hollow Festival, 1966-2021

Folk music aficionados Bill and Andy Spence retained photographs, newspaper clippings, posters, schedules, flyers, and audio of the Fox Hollow Festival, of which they were involved in through their Capital District folk organization, Pick’n’ and Sing’n’ Gather’n’ (PSG). The Beers family (Robert, Evelyne, and Martha) of Petersburgh, N.Y. held the Fox Hollow Festival on their family farm celebrating the traditions of folk music and arts every year from 1966 to 1980. The Festival consisted of multiple days packed with folk singing groups, workshops, art showings, activities, entertainment, dancing, games, speakers, crafts, and special guests with camping and other site accommodations upon request. This festival served as inspiration for the Old Songs Festival created in 1981 by Andy. The passing of Robert Beers in May 1972 signaled a shift for the Fox Hollow Festival, and Bill and Andy’s last year of participation was 1973. PSG were involved as volunteers with the festival from 1966 to 1973, and Andy resigned from the Fox Hollow Board of Directors in September of that same year.

This series includes Andy’s scrapbook pages (the bulk of the series’ contents), LPs and CDs, and black and white photographs taken by Dick Levine at the festival from 1966 to 1971. LPs of recordings from some of the festivals are included.