Get Ready for the Kettle Creek Music Festival August 7–9

By Emily Wright
CROSS FORK– One of north-central Pennsylvania’s most anticipated summer traditions returns as the Kettle Creek Music Festival prepares to host its three-day event at Quiet Oaks Campground from Thursday, August 7, through Saturday, August 9, 2025. Festivalgoers can look forward to an eclectic lineup of live music, family-friendly activities, and a mission dedicated to giving back to the local community and beyond.

Tickets for the Kettle Creek Music Festival can be purchased at the gate only, and a valid ID is required for entry. Weekend passes are $65 and include rustic onsite camping, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations necessary. Daily tickets are $20 for Thursday and $25 each for Friday and Saturday. Attendees over age 65 may purchase day tickets for $15 with a valid ID, and active duty military personnel are admitted free with a valid military ID.

Now celebrating its 25th year, KCMF is a three-day fundraiser dedicated to supporting more than a dozen local and nonprofit organizations, ranging from fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to youth and military programs. Since 2013, KCMF has donated an impressive $108,475 to local fire companies, ambulance services, Boy Scouts, and military veteran support foundations. The event solidified its charitable mission by becoming a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in 2015.

The continued success and popularity of the KCMF can be attributed to its dedicated team of volunteers. Under the leadership of President Dave Flack, Vice President and Secretary Carla Flack, Treasurer Leland Krauss, Vendor Coordinator Austin Masters, and Raffles/T-shirt Coordinators Shavan Minihan and Sharon Krauss, the KCMF committee invests months of planning into what has become a staple of the PA Wilds summer calendar.
This year’s festival theme, “Silver Moon,” is inspired by the next full moon rising on Saturday, August 9. The theme sets the stage for a weekend filled with charm, camaraderie, and plenty of live music in the heart of the PA Wilds Dark Sky region.

The highlight of KCMF continues to be its stellar lineup of live music. Festivalgoers can look forward to more than 22 hours of music performed by more than a dozen bands throughout the weekend.

On Thursday, Aug. 7, live music kicks off at 4 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m., featuring Classic Rock Revival, Chris Eckert, and Mix Tape.

Friday, Aug. 8, will feature Western Range, McNett Country Band, Cass and The Bailout Crew, The Heartstrings, and Katz 22, with performances from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 9, features Cody Tyler Acoustic Duo, RIZE, K4Kountry, Chris Ruble, and County Lines, also performing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For the complete band schedule and more information about this year’s performers, visit the KCMF website at www.kcmusicfest.com/.

The festival offers more than just live music—there’s entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Highlights include 50/50 raffles, auctions, and a cornhole tournament. Returning this year is the fan-favorite dance contest, inviting attendees to pull on their cowboy boots and get ready to dance. Additional details about the dance contest are to be announced, and festivalgoers are encouraged to follow KCMF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcmfe for the latest updates.

Pet owners can show off their furry companions at the KCMF Pet Parade, which will be held on Saturday, August 9, at 9:30 a.m. To register your pooch for the Pet Parade, see Ron and Teresa at the Corn Hole sign-up tent on Thursday, August 7, and Friday, August 8. There is a $5 entry fee, and plaques will be awarded for “small”, “medium”, and “large” dogs, as well as an “overall winner”. Late registrations will be accepted at the Cutting Edge Laser Engraving tent on Vendor Row from 9:00 a.m. until just before the parade begins.

Kids can look forward to exciting activities that will be hosted in their own dedicated space, located in the festival pavilion at the top of the hill. Activities are scheduled daily from 1 to 3 p.m.

The KCMF committee is especially excited about this year’s cornhole tournaments, where attendees can put their pitching skills to the test. The tournaments will be held at the back of the vendor area, in the same location as last year. Registration opens at noon each day at the sign-up table, and tournaments will begin at 1:00 p.m. The entry fee is $10 per person, per day.

The festival’s village of vendors promises a true taste of the region, featuring a wide selection of arts and crafts booths, food vendors, on-site wood carvers, wineries, distilleries, and microbreweries. Among this year’s highlights are Hawstone Hollow Winery from Lewistown, showcasing its handcrafted, small-batch wines, and Hazard’s Distillery of Mifflintown, known for its moonshine, whiskey, and bourbon, will also be on site serving up signature beverages.

Festivalgoers can start each morning with a made-to-order breakfast served in the pavilion from 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Daily selections include eggs or omelets, pancakes, bacon or sausage, home fries, toast (white or wheat), as well as coffee, tea, and juice.

For those interested in fully immersing themselves in the KCMF, camping lies at the heart of the festival experience. The gates open for campers at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, and two camping options are available on festival grounds: rustic camping and reserved sites.

Rustic camping is included with the purchase of a full weekend ticket at the gate and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Rustic sites allow guests to stay from Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. through Sunday at no additional cost. Camping areas are designated for both tents and RVs by the festival committee and campground owners; however, tents are not permitted in RV areas.

Alternatively, campers can reserve a site managed by Quiet Oaks Campground. The fee to reserve a campsite is paid directly to the campground and is not included with the purchase of a festival ticket. With a limited number of sites available, be sure to call the Quiet Oaks Campground office at 570-927-2797 to reserve your spot.

For attendees wishing to camp offsite, organizers recommend Kettle Creek State Park, Ole Bull State Park, and Hyner Run State Park, all located approximately the same distance from the festival grounds. More detailed information, including rules for RVs, tents, and responsible ATV/golf cart use, can be found online at kcmusicfest.com.

KCMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports a range of charitable groups, with a primary focus on military organizations. Proceeds from the festival benefit organizations such as the Luzerne Foundation-Hunts for Healing, LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve, and Heroes & Horses in Mackeyville.

This year, Thursday, August 7, is designated as “Purple Heart Day” to honor Purple Heart recipients who have been wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. military. Friday, August 8, is “RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Shirt Friday” in honor of all military personnel.

This year’s event is made possible by generous support from Wayne Township Landfill, DP’s Music Center, the Clinton County Visitors Bureau, Pennsylvania Skill, and dedicated emcee and stage manager Chris Eckert—among many others.

The Kettle Creek Music Festival has cemented itself as more than just a summer music event; it’s a heartfelt celebration of community and the power of music, bringing people together for a worthy cause. Whether you’re ready to dance under the “Silver Moon”, camp beneath the stars, or simply enjoy a weekend immersed in music in the Pennsylvania wilds, the KCMF welcomes all—rain or shine.

For the full live music schedule, camping FAQs, and additional information, visit www.kcmusicfest.com or call (570) 927-2797. For the latest festival updates, follow the KCMF Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kcmfe.

Head to the Kettle Creek Music Festival this weekend at Quiet Oaks Campground, located at 88 Quiet Oaks Campground Lane, Cross Fork, PA 17729.