For me, the start of the festival season usually starts at Puh’tok in the Pines and the Monkton Music Festival. This year was no different. The band lineup and the vendors reflected a strong local presence.

The reason I like this festival is because most of the proceeds go to the camp itself to promote opportunities for kids in an outdoor adventure-type environment.

With two full stages in action, it meant that at no time was there not music to be heard. See the amazing line up below:

The highlights of the Fest, of which there were many, included exuberant opening Sami Flava and Bobby’s Blues Band to that final note struck at the end of the awesome jam of the Fitzkee Brothers.

Sami brought some rhythm and blues. The High and Wides provided some Bluegrass, and Country was represented well by solo artist Logan Chalk. And that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg! We also had a mix of singer-songwriters like the magnificent Talbot Mayo Band and the incredible Caleb Stine Band.

Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments aided by sax great Gregory Tompkins as well as Greg Nally on the harmonica as they mixed things up.

With two over-lapping stages it was a veritable cornucopia of musical riches. While on the Field Stage, Western Run played their “funked up Country Rock” Dawgone rocked the Woods Stage with their own brand of “hippie rock.”

Annapolis, Maryland favorites Pressing Strings had the Field Stage rocking and dancing to their bluesy, folky rock-based tunes.

The finale was the Fitzkee Brothers, joined by Chris Vitarello and Will Bart, as they played some high energy tunes of their own, covering the Allman Brothers in a rendition that blew the place away!

Another great year of the Monkton Music Festival is in the books, and another great day for Camp Puh-tok in the Pines.

Check out more photos of all the artists performing at the Monkton Music Festival on May 9, 2026. All photos are copyright Frank Thompson: