First-timers, 16-timers share views on DelFest's success
May 27—CUMBERLAND — The reasons behind DelFest's successful 16-year run seem to revolve around many things, but first-timers and 16-year veterans alike agree the McCoury family's magic touch remains a key ingredient.
During this year's festival, the Times-News spoke to first-time attendees as well as some who have been to DelFest every year since it debuted in 2008. Held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, this year was the 16th DelFest, having missed 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cathy Campbell, from Fairmont, West Virginia, attended this year for the first time.
"I've heard about it for years, but this is the first time I made it," Campbell said. "I have a lot of friends who come to it. It's a beautiful location and great music and I love that the McCoury's support community things. I am impressed with that."
The DelFest Foundation was established in 2009 with $750,000 donated to area charities since its inception.
Cody and Christina Taylor of Mansfield, Ohio, also came for the first time.
"I fell in love with bluegrass music a few years ago," said Cody. "We got to see Del McCoury and the Travelin' McCourys at Grassfire bluegrass festival (in Garrettsville, Ohio) last year and really liked it.
"We also saw that Sierra Farrell and a lot of our favorites were playing here so we decided to come and see and we're enjoying it."
DelFest closed Sunday night after sets from Sierra Farrell and Old Crowe Medicine Show.
John Kehoe, of Milwaukee, who is famous for dressing as a chicken man each year, has been coming to DelFest since 2012. Kehoe has become the unofficial mascot of DelFest and is often singled out from the stage by Del McCoury for song dedications.
"Del himself sold me on coming here," Kehoe said. "He played a show in Wisconsin and told me I should come check out DelFest. I did and I loved it. There's just something in the air when they play; it's like magic."
Kevin Kamauf, fairgrounds manager, agreed. "Del is in his 80s but he just has this magic with people of all ages."
People who have attended all 16 DelFests gathered for a photo at the festival. An estimated 25 people participated, including close friends Susan Randolph, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Judy Schofield, of Annandale, Virginia. The pair went to college together.
It was Schofield's idea that the friends go to the first DelFest.
"Judy had heard Del before and she found (DelFest) and thought it would be fun and we've been coming ever since," Randolph said. "The first year it was small. Everyone was in the front row the first year."
In 2008, the festival had 1,400 people but grew quickly to nearly 10,000 per day for the four-day event.
"We bring the kids," Schofield said. Along with Randolph, they each have two children. "My daughter was two the first year. They come every year and have so much fun and they love Del.
"It's Del and his wife Jean that set this example of hard-working, kind, nice to everyone and family-focused and we wanted to be part of that," she added. "Our kids ... we would see Del coming around on the golf cart the kids would hug him like he was Santa."
Schofield and Randolph have photos of their kids when they were little with Del and now they are grown.
"There is not much to not like about this. It's the most fun I have each year," Schofield said.
"We have three generations here," Randolph said. "My dad, who is 89, has made it 11 or 12 times and my niece ... we all come. The McCourys are amazing and very community-minded.
"You arrive and you see the rock (cliffs of neighboring West Virginia) and they're so distinctive and beautiful. It's gorgeous. You see it and your heart rate slows down. You relax and you know you're going to have fun."
Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.
