PUTNAM VALLEY- Pete Seeger Festival Takes Place Today in Putnam Valley
Today in Putnam Valley, the Tompkins Corners Cultural Center will host its 10th annual Pete Seeger Festival, honoring the life of one of America’s most renowned musicians and songwriters.
Seeger, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 94, grew up in Putnam County, spending years at his family’s home in Patterson.
In the 1970s, Seeger returned to his roots and conducted a concert at Patterson Town Park that received rave reviews.
Seeger was unafraid to openly speak his views while supporting unpopular causes such as Communism and his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Despite this, his original songs “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” “The Hammer Song,” also called “If I had a Hammer,” and “Turn, Turn, Turn” are as popular today as they were when composed decades ago when performed with Judy Collins, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Byrds.
Seeger who would have celebrated his 107th birthday today was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be remembered this afternoon by the “MOVE Choir,” featuring young performers from Cold Spring under the direction of Linda Richards. They will join veteran performers Betty and the Baby Boomers, David and Jacob Bernz, Rick and Donna Nestler, Karen Brooks, Laurie Siegel and Patrick Stanfield Jones, Robbie “Diggit” Dermer, Sarah Underhill, RJ Storm, and the Old School Bluegrass Band.
This event is free and suitable for families. It will take place outdoors if the weather is nice, or indoors if it rains.
The curtain rises at 2 p.m.
Tompkins Corners Cultural Center is located at 729 Peekskill Hollow Road, Putnam Valley.
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