By Kate Bartlett
Next Saturday, July 26, marks the 5th annual HillTAP Festival at Holiday Valley in collaboration with 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora. This fun-filled event combines outdoor adventure with craft beer, fantastic food and live music from 12-9pm.
The event was started by John Cimperman, owner and founder of 42 North, who is an outdoor enthusiast and lover of Holiday Valley. “John has a great background with outdoor festivals and he’s a big fan of the resort,” says Dash Hegeman, marketing director for Holiday Valley. “John approached us with a proposal that was very much in line with the kind of summertime activities that Holiday Valley offers its guests. It was a very well thought out presentation and most importantly, the event sounded like a lot of fun. Here we are, five years later, and each year it’s gotten a little bit bigger and better.”
HillTAP is a unique festival in its variety of activities and events. “There is something for just about everyone,” says Dash. Activities include stand up paddleboarding, axe throwing, mountain bike demos, food trucks, a scenic chairlift ride to get up to the Spruce Lake venue, and of course great live music all day long.
axe throwing, mountain bike demos, food trucks, a scenic chairlift ride to get
up to the Spruce Lake venue, and of course great live music all day long.
This year’s event introduces All Waters Environmental Club as providers for SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards). The music format has changed a bit as well. Last year there were 2 bands playing up at Spruce Lake, followed by a performance down below on the Tannenbaum Lodge lawn. This year the Leroy Townes Band will be playing at Spruce Lake from 1-4pm. Then Kody & Herren will be playing from 4-5:30pm on the Tannenbaum stage, followed by Uncle Ben’s Remedy from 6 – 8:30pm.
Uncle Ben’s Remedy has become a renowned local band, winning the Summer 2014 Battle of the Bands at the Canalside Concert Series, and frequents the stage at the Borderland Festival. Their sounds is rooted in the small towns of WNY, giving their music the honest, back porch feel of the county music they love.
The Leroy Townes Band is a Western New York-based Americana band that blends vinyl-era folk-rock with a shot of country. Influenced by legends like Neil Young and Bob Dylan, the band crafts original music marked by acoustic textures and heartfelt lyrics.
Based in Springville, NY, Kody & Herren are multi-instrumental performers on guitar, violin, mandolin, and more and frequent the Ellicottville music scene. Nick and Lydia will be joined by their band for an inspirational set of original and classic roots music in the beautiful backdrop of the slopes of Holiday Valley.
Fat Bob’s BBQ and Dina’s will both be onsite with Food Trucks to serve festivalgoers a variety of appetizing options. Naturally, 42 North Brewing will be on-site selling some of their signature craft brews. 1911 Cider will also have a setup at the venue, serving up some of their favorite hard ciders.
Demos and experiences during the event will be provided by Hatchets & Hops, Colton RV & Airstream Experience, Holiday Valley E-Bike demons, Mud, Sweat & Gears, Bike Tent by WNYMBA, Tom’s Pro Bike, Brewhouse Bikes, and Adventure Gear by Snow Child.
Holiday Valley is an incredible venue for this event, providing rolling hills and slopes as the background, with Spruce Lake as a naturally beautiful location. The chair lifts provide a unique and fun way to the event, with many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors atop the slopes. “What better wat to enjoy the great outdoors?” says Dash. “How many concerts can you go to where you take a chairlift to get to the venue? HillTAP is one of a kind.”
Dash encourages anyone who enjoys the great outdoors, beer/hard cider, and music to stop down to this event. “Do you like being outside with a great group of people, listening to great music, and eating and drinking? If you said yes…HillTAP is the place to be on Saturday, July 26.”
For more information, visit, holidayvalley.com and follow on social media.