What else can you do on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday in Hunt Valley, Maryland? Well, you can head over to Oregon Ridge Park for a live music experience at the annual Hot August Music Festival. A big shout-out goes to the organizers, Ryan and Robbie, for taking the reins of this year’s festival. It’s safe to say we were in capable hands, and everything seemed to run seamlessly. One major highlight was the minimal overlap between stages, allowing us to enjoy all the artists performing on both stages!

We kicked off the festivities with Natalie Brooke & the Infinity Tribe on the Hillside Stage, while the Jonathan Sloane Trio warmed up the Meadow Stage. Following that, Cris Jacobs took over the Hillside Stage and, as always, delivered a stellar performance with his band. Sunny War then graced us with her soulful tunes after the Jonathan Sloane Trio’s Meadow Stage act. The energy was palpable when the high-energy band Ripe hit the Hillside Stage, getting everyone on their feet and dancing. Karina Rykman kept the dance vibes going on the Meadow Stage with her electrifying set.

Taking the spotlight on the Hillside Stage next was the festival-favorite Daniel Donato with his Cosmic Country sound, followed by the much-anticipated Oteil & Friends performance. And let’s not forget the impressive lineup of Oteil’s accompanying friends!

And finally, it was time for the ultimate act of the evening, featuring hits like “Dixie Chicken” and the search for a “Fatman in the Bathtub.” That’s right, “Little Feat” brought the curtain down on the night’s festivities. Classics like “Sailing Shoes” and my personal favorite, “Willin’,” were on the setlist as well. A side note: I played my “Waiting for Columbus” album so much during my youth that I practically wore it out. Yes, I’m that old!

Another incredible Hot August Music Festival goes down in the history books! It was a fantastic day of music and camaraderie. Every year, I leave the Hot August festival with more friends than I had when the day began!