The exhibition begins with an introduction to the sign making craft, focusing on the work of William Rice, the most prolific sign painter in the Northeast. Dubbed the Bill Gates of the sign business, Rice used signature designs of lions and eagles to brand his craft. Like the public houses some of them adorned, these signs beckon you back to a time and place where you can almost hear the conversation and smell the stale whiskey. Also appearing at this year s festival will be Celtic favorite Gallowglass, back by popular demand, as well as the legendary Bob Wescott, Blue Midnight, Little Toby Walker, Kikyo Genso and Cathy Kreger. Children under six are admitted free.
Performances begin at noon, and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Food and refreshments are available for purchase. Due to limited parking, shuttle bus service will be provided to and from SUNY at Stony Brook s South parking lot. Admission to the festival includes entry to all of the museum s exhibitions, including the Carriage Museum, the one-room schoolhouse, the barn and blacksmith shop, the miniature rooms, and The Baymen's Art, featuring the museum s renowned collection of wildfowl decoys.