Rock Cliff Ranch’s Gig in the Sticks is bringing local performers, business owners and residents together to enjoy the fall season with music, food and shopping.
Rock Cliff Ranch will welcome back Barefoot McCoy and Driven for its third annual Gig in the Sticks.
The gig, which is in Albany, will be held on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is part of a weekend-long event that will combine music, vendors, food and horsemanship.
Jake Barefoot McCoy, a solo artist and native of Newark, will return for his second year after spending the last six months in Los Angeles. McCoy’s retro folk sound will begin the afternoon’s festivities with guitar and harmonica in hand. McCoy said last year’s event was a great fall festival.
“It was a lot of great folks, good vendors and food trucks,” he said.
This year Driven will also be on the gig’s lineup. While they have performed at Rock Cliff in the past, it will be the band’s first experience with this event. Terry Callihan, Dave Pontius, Jeff Singer and Jimmy Baumann play a variety of music, including classic country, conventional country and classic rock.
“We try to play a little bit of everything (to) please a wide variety of people,” guitarist Callihan said.
Adding to the rustic feel of the event, the performers will set up and perform in a barn arena with a hay wagon as a stage. Rather than opt for a professional stage, Judy Burke, the owner of Rock Cliff, said she prefers a unique and crafty approach.
“We do wagons. It’s kind of our niche we think,” Burke said.
While listening to music, eventgoers will have an opportunity to visit the many vendors, local shops and artisans. The barn arena will hold most of the vendors inside with spillover going outdoors.
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The Lodi General Store will provide three hot meals on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Burke hopes to create an all inclusive community event through Gig in the Sticks. Burke is keeping the price of admission at $8 for adults, $4 for 12-18 year olds and free for those under 12. She said she hopes to keep the gig affordable for families. The tickets are only for the music performances and access to the vendors.
Another aspect of the weekend is a horsemanship clinic with the returning Bobby Knight, a clinician from Knight Horsemanship. The clinic will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Though this is the first year a horse clinic has been planned in conjunction with Gig in the Sticks, the Knight has been to Rock Cliff in the past.
Earlier this year in a previous clinic, it was Knight’s first time at the ranch, which was so successful that Burke scheduled his return right then.
Burke is especially passionate about horses and their riders.
“We want people to be able to learn and experience all of the things that come with having a horse,” Burke said.
The music-centric gathering, Burke said, is growing every year. The event only had one performer in the past, so the inclusion of two musical guests this year shows the potential of Rock Cliff as it begins to fulfill the dreams and intentions of Burke.
“I bought the farm just over two years ago and it is our big plan to begin doing events,” Burke said.
Burke’s vision for the ranch includes hosting her own events and hosting for other people. The venue offers what she describes as a rustic, country atmosphere. Over the past years she has held weddings, birthdays and other various events for customers.
Burke said she hopes to welcome more participants as word continues to spread. She urges Ohio University students to join in the festivities.
“We don’t see a lot of OU students come out, but, you know, I think they would enjoy it,” Burke said.
This is an event that has the ability to introduce students to the local community and allow them to enjoy Athens County, Burke said.
“Hopefully (the event) will be one of the reasons OU students keep coming back,” Burke said.
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