What a glorious day for a music festival!
After a night of rain, the skies cleared to reveal a perfect canvas of blue, a gentle breeze rustling through the pines, and music filling the air. The annual Monkton Music Festival, set among the wooded serenity of Camp Puh’Tok in the Pines, delivered a full day of live performances, community spirit, and support for a wonderful cause.
Camp Puh’Tok isn’t just a stunning venue—it’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing outdoor activities and enriching experiences for young people. So, in addition to enjoying a day full of incredible music, attendees had the chance to support youth programming that truly makes a difference.
This year’s lineup was as diverse as it was dynamic. From heartfelt singer-songwriter sets to energetic bluegrass, a touch of brass, and a show-stopping finale of Allman Brothers classics, the festival catered to every musical taste.
The music alternated seamlessly between two stages—one tucked into a cozy wooded nook dubbed the Acoustic Stage, and the other out on the Field Stage, allowing for non-stop performances all day long.
- Skyking opened on the Acoustic Stage, setting the tone with stripped-down soul.
- Johnny, Massachusetts followed on the Field Stage, bringing a vibrant energy.
- Nelly’s Echo, Dawgone, The Mayo Family Band, and Whiskey Feathers kept the rhythm going, swapping stages with perfect flow.
- The evening settled into a mellow groove with The Honey Dewdrops, followed by a fiery set from The Dirty Grass Players.
- Caleb Stine gave a stirring closing set on the Acoustic Stage.
- And finally, Ed Hough’s Allman Brothers Collective brought the house down with a powerful tribute performance that had the crowd on their feet.
It was a day of sunshine, song, and shared joy—with the added bonus of contributing to a meaningful mission. If you missed it this year, mark your calendars for next time. This is one festival that feeds both the soul and the spirit.
Here are more photos of the Monkton Music Fest by Frank Thompson on May 10, 2025:
