Mad Tea Party Jam | 06.19 – 22.2014 | Hedgesville, WV

The Mad Tea Party Jam | The Bavarian Villa | Hedgesville, WV
June 19-22 2014

 

Photos By: OwlEyesOnYou

Words By: Justin Ciccone

When on assignment, we never like to show up late for an event. Unfortunately for this festival, I was only on site for Saturday; last day to capture festival shenanigans. To sum up the 16 hours I had on site quickly, “SO MUCH WOW!” Upon arrival, I immediately felt the clean cut, positive energy that the staff and patrons brought to the Mad Tea Party Jam in Hedgesville, WV.

“The Werks took the stage as the Saturday headliner and tied themselves to the festivarians and played with relentless passion. Starting before midnight, easily cruising through 2 am only to announce that The Mantras were gonna play during set break, The Werks continued on jamming til 7:30 am Sunday morning! No minute wasted.”

 

Festivals these days have trended to nickel and dime patrons with admission on admission. Ranging from day passes to weekend admission, additional car camping passes and also offering VIP options for those who can afford it. Tea Party stayed true to roots and offered car camping with general admission and had a VIP package that offered secluded lake side camping, beer tasting, festival merch, and taxi service to anywhere on the festival grounds among other great perks.
 
Consider the Source, The Mantras, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Papadosio, and The Werks, to name a few, made it known they were present and were ready to raise the bar for the next performance. The music, the crowd, and the interaction steadily rose throughout the day. Most of the said artists had multiple sets over the weekend, each of which kept the crowd craving the next in line.
 
The Werks took the stage as the Saturday headliner and tied themselves to the festivarians and played with relentless passion. Starting before midnight, easily cruising through 2 am only to announce that The Mantras were gonna play during set break, The Werks continued on jamming til 7:30 am Sunday morning! No minute wasted. During The Mantras set ‘Lil Taco’ came on stage, at 11 years old, to deliver some sexy smooth sax to us all. Directing the band, I believe demanding a ‘Crazy Train’ cover for his own enjoyment. The young buck got to ride the front row all night (morning) after his guest appearance.
 
The artist scene was also abundant. Brian Bailey of Cloudy but Clear ran the show. Live art all day long. Ashton Hill, Harrison Crawford, Brian Kirby amongst many others laid down some amazing colors to canvas. Mad Tea Party opened the door to many vendors: art, goods, and food alike. For those of you in that side of the festival game, please connect and consider the Mad Tea Party Jam as an option. Definitely a place we can ALL eat!
 
For all followers of us here at Festival Footprints who are looking for their next music endeavor, please do consider The Mad Tea Party Jam coming up in 2015. Its low key, clean, amazing fun – music – friends. Through these smaller fests one can really connect dots and create valuable relationships on all levels.

GA: $100 | VIP: $200 | Single Day: $80