The Great Alpine Pick 2021

The Great Alpine Pick 2021
Harrietville, Victoria
26 to 28 February
By Rob Dickens

I always get an anticipatory buzz in the lead-up to music festivals, ready to savour the music, mixing with friends and other music lovers, exploring the location and its provincial delights.
Well that plus infinity as I contemplate attending The Great Alpine Pick in a rustic village in regional Victoria at the end of the week. Since the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March 2020, I have managed just one such event – Mona Foma in Tasmania this January which was a bold and welcome attempt but was hampered by COVID-enforced compromises.
The state of The Great Alpine Pick 2021 has been on a knife-edge since it was announced. Only last week saw the State of Victoria thrown into a sudden lockdown (the third) which, albeit of short duration, threatened to deliver a late, final cruel blow. The event’s organisers, The Mountain Pickers Association and Andrew Barcham in particular deserve copious praise for walking the tight-rope and being ready to put on this charming event of concerts and jamming of bluegrass and old-time music.

To deal with social distancing rules, two separate locations will be used each night and other activities on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning will also be COVID-compliant. The two concert venues will be the Community Hall and the Mountain View Hall.
Here’s the program for the weekend
Friday Night
Community Hall – $20 entry fee
7.45 – The Spokeshave Mountaineers
8.45 – Pete Denehy
9.45 – The Kissin’ Cousins
Mountain View Hall – $20 entry fee
8.00 – The Kissin’ Cousins
9.00 – The Spokeshave Mountaineers
10.00 – Pete Denehy
Saturday Afternoon
Harrietville Cricket Club – Picking with the bands, free entry
1.30 – The Spokeshave Mountaineers
2.00 – The Kissing Cousins
2.30 – Canyon
3.00 – Strzelecki Strinbusters
Saturday Night
Community Hall – $20 entry fee
8.00 – Canyon
9.00 – Chalkboard Act
9.15 – Chalkboard Act
9.30 – Strzelecki Stringbusters
Mountain View Hall – $20 entry fee
8.00 – Strzelecki Stringbusters
9.00 – Chalkboard Act
9.15 – Chalkboard Act
9.30 – Canyon
Sunday Morning
10.00am – Gospel chalkboard – free entry Down by the river at the Caravan Park (weather permitting)

Volunteers
If you want to help out, please email: mountainpickersassociation@hotmail.com
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The Great Alpine Pick 2021