Music, food, football: Abington music fest set for Oct. 1

Trinidelphia

Trinidelphia brings reggae, steel pan, and salsa sounds to the Penn State Abington Music Festival on Oct. 1

Credit: Penn State

ABINGTON, Pa. — Music, food, and college football — what better combination on a crisp fall Saturday? Head over to Penn State Abington on Oct. 1 for the first Homecoming Music Festival, sponsored by Yamaha.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian, founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful (“Do You Believe in Magic?”) will headline the daylong festival. Other classic rock acts on the bill include Professor Louie & the Cromatix with the Rock of Ages Horns playing the music of The Band. Bassist Derek Forbes of Simple Minds (“Don’t You Forget About Me”), Big Country, and Fourgoodmen will appear, too.

John Sebastian

The singer of  the "Welcome Back, Kotter" theme and "Summer in the City," Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian, is the headliner at the first Penn State Abington music festival.

Credit: Penn State

The Philadelphia area will be represented by the soulful, funky Laura Cheadle Family Blues Band; the Cuban jazz of Conjunto Philadelphia; reggae, salsa, and steelpan specialists Trinidelphia; the Social Voyeurs; and genre-defying East Meets Venus.

The Robin Haffley Jazz Septet, led by an Abington music instructor, performs with the legendary Larry McKenna and Gene DiNovi. Other Abington performers include the folk/pop Sunday Muse, 2016 Battle of the Bands champion Eastern State, and hip-hop/modern dancers Lion’ Around Crew.

Laura Cheadler

Blue singer and songwriter Laura Cheadle.

Credit: Paul Dempsey Photography

The rain-or-shine event includes jumbo TVs broadcasting the Penn State football game versus Minnesota, a tailgate party, vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden.

Abington alumni will head back onto the field for lacrosse and baseball games. And the current men's and women's soccer teams play rival SUNY Cobleskill in the afternoon.

The music festival caps off Penn State Abington Welcome Week, featuring lectures and performances by faculty and students and a day of service. The Abington campus community and special guests are invited to the formal welcome of Damian J. Fernandez, the new chancellor.

Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds benefit music programs at Penn State Abington.

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