PAONIA – The music and libation festival season isn’t over just yet! Paonia is set to host its annual Mountain Harvest Festival this weekend, with the help of two dozen local musical acts and various artists, poets, fashion designers, wine vintners, and culinary experts. Each artist, from  accomplished to up-and-coming, takes a modest rate for their services in order for the event to serve as a fundraiser and platform for nonprofit organizations.

The impressive assortment of activities is accompanied by expert-led instructional workshops like harmonica techniques with Donny Morales and songwriting with Gabrielle Louise. After filling up at the Chili Cook-off on Friday afternoon (Sept. 28) , patrons can chill out to the reggae rock of Mojo in Town Park. That is just a warmup to a jam-packed Saturday, Sept. 29, that brings 16 musical acts to four different venues throughout the city. The Paradise Theater will bring vintage rock duo The Strolling Scones and upbeat indie soul from Isa and JoAnn.

If twang is your game head over to Blue Sage for the progressive picking of Sticky Mulligan, or the world beat vibe of Beth Quist. Easy performance highlights of the night will come from headlining sets by mountain folk rockers The Lindells at Town Hall, and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Bruce Hayes at the Glennie Coombe Gallery. Haven’t had enough yet? Good, because Sunday bookends the eclectic weekend with jazz-infused jam rock of Free Range Mayhem, and an anticipated All Star Jam lead by Rob Jones and Bruce Hayes that should have Town Park grooving. Visit  http://www.mountainharvestfestival.org/mhf/index.php for info.