Dear friends and music lovers,

I hope all of you are well and getting your shots when they become available and staying safe!  It would be great to be further along than we are but it is what it is...  Covid is just not leaving fast enough for this year.

It looks like 2022 will be the year Billy's Belly comes back, and what a great return it will be.  We'll have new venues, increased prize money, new categories, kids activities, and an Arts In The Woods feature again where painters, sculptors, and other artists will be invited to display their talent.  Prizes will be awarded and art works will be for sale.   We will have fresh baked bread from a hand made oven, Bean-Hole supper, and much more.  Bring your bikes too, as we have miles of dirt roads to explore and you can return to camp for the music at night when there will be stories and tall tales around the camp fire. 

So, sorry we must take a pass on 2021, but we'll get that Rocket 2022 ready for lift off.  In the mean time we have partnered with WXNZ / HoosKow radio in Skowhegan Maine. We will be sharing with you their story hour called the Guest Room...  featuring tales from local and distant musicians, with an eclectic mix and some great interviews. So sit back, grab another hot drink or cold if you prefer, and play some great programming right here on our website.  Like General Douglas MacArthur...  Billy's Belly will return.

God bless, and hope to see you all soon!
~William

Each week HooSkow Radio invites musicians, poets, performers, artists, and community organizers to sit down in the studio and share their passions, inspirations, and their stories.

Directions

Getting Here

Our festival takes place on Clark Rd. in Anson Maine.  Unfortunately many GPS devices do not locate our road properly and can't be trusted to get you here accurately.  Please follow the written directions below for the best way to find our festival!   There will be major signage from all benchmark towns to our site.

From the South

GPS to: Madison, Maine

From Madison, follow  148 West (Main St.), go over the hill and across the Kennebec river.  When you cross the bridge you will be in Anson. Turn right at end of bridge (look for signs) turns into US route 201A. Go apx 8 miles , then turn left onto route 234 (also known as the Anson Valley road).  Go apx 6 miles and turn right on 4 Mile Square Road.  Follow signs to Clark road and festival site.

From the North

GPS to: Bingham, Maine

From Bingham ME. Take 201 to 201a in Solon ME. Approximately 16.4 miles to North Anson. Turn right on 234 (The Anson valley road).  Go apx 12 miles and turn right on 4 Mile Square Road.  Follow signs to Clark road and festival site.

From the WEST

GPS to: Farmington, Maine

From Farmington, take North Route 27 for Approximately 23.4 miles.  Turn right onto route 234 (the Anson valley road).  Go approximately 6 miles and turn left onto 4 Mile Square Road.  Follow signs to Clark Road and festival site.

Click the image here to view and/or download a one page flyer
that you can print for your own promotional use.

General Information

  • Festival is rain or shine.
  • There is no fee to compete  you simply pay general admission.
  • Our competition is open to all amateur and semi-professional musicians.
  • All bands/ performers that are registered in the competition are welcome to sell their music related items for free such as tee shirts with their logo and personal CDs.

Festival Rules:

  1. No pets allowed, except service animals.
  2. No alcohol or drugs in stage area.
  3. Intoxicated persons shall be asked to leave.
  4. No physical altercations will be tolerated; both persons shall be asked to leave.
  5. No open fires.
  6. No firearms are permitted.
  7. No refunds.
  8. Say hello to folks you know and everyone you meet, and have a great time!  🙂

Competition Rules:

*Please note that the competition is only open to amateur and semi-professional musicians

  1. Acoustical instruments only, yes that means bass also.
  2. Contestants will be registered on a first come first serve basis.  There are limited slots, once filled, and registration will be closed.
  3. Each performer and or band will be judged by a panel of three judges.
  4. Moneys will be awarded at the close of competition on the same night.
  5. If you must leave before competition is completed and you have played your required set/sets, we will mail you your prize money.
  6. A band consists of 3 or more.
  7. Performers cannot play in other bands or groups, during the competition and once registered single performers cannot join with others. In other words “Dance with the one who brought Ya”.
  8. Each band (3 or more persons) will have a single set consisting of 15-20 minutes (depending on number of entrants 15 minutes Minimum and 20 minuets Maximum)
  9. When competing in different categories i.e. Guitar, Banjo Vocal etc. Please announce to the judges before start of song what instrument you are competing in i.e. “Best guitar” or the judges will choose the song to judge you on.
  10. All single performers will have 5-7 minutes each.
  11. All Double performers will have 10 -12 minutes each.
  12. Points will be deducted for profanity
  13. Points will be deducted for running over your time limit.
  14. Any performer that is too intoxicated to perform will be disqualified.
  15. Registrations will be accepted on day of festival providing there are still slots open, and again it will be first come first serve.
  16. Have fun, learn new tricks and don’t feed the Gruffalo.

Brought to you by the heart of Billy’s Belly:
Bill, Rose, and Jasmine Owens

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