History of the Kennerdell Arts Festival

In 1956, Eugene (Gene) Reichenfeld gave the first concert on the lawn of the home of Ed and Sally Thomas of Kennerdell.  (Sally was the postmaster of the little village.)  Reichenfeld had come to the area in 1948 on a fishing trip to visit a friend, but got lost and ended up in Kennerdell. He stayed overnight on the bank of the river and liked the area so much that the next day he paid a deposit to purchase the land.  He soon began constructing a cabin.  He was a music teacher from Pittsburgh and spent the summers at Kennerdell.  He often invited musician friends to visit and they would play music.  Sally Thomas lived across the road from Reichenfeld.  She asked him to do a benefit concert with the funds raised to be used for a new organ for the Kennerdell Church of God.  Twelve musicians came and were housed in private homes.  Mrs. Evelyn Carner directed the 15-member church choir with supplemental music.  A similar concert was held in 1957.

In 1958, Reichenfeld was encouraged to ask Harry Hickman Sr. about an art exhibit. He did so, and Hickman suggested he also ask Henry King Witherup, who had works of art hanging in various banks and business places in the County.  They borrowed 33 pieces of art that were displayed along with other local works.  Since it had outgrown the original setting, it was moved to the natural amphitheatre setting at the home of Thomas E. Jones about a mile below the Kennerdell Bridge. Another neighbor, Charles Furniss, had a beautiful wooded area for the art show and Dick Fisher had two large lawns for parking.  

Concerts continued on the Jones’ property. In 1960, W.B. Wilson donated 6 acres of land on the hill above the village for development as a park that could accommodate the music festival and art exhibit.  Mr. Wilson donated another 6-acre tract of land the following year.  By 1961, $700 had been raised through donations and receipts from admission.  In 1962, the crowd at Kennerdell was estimated at 4,000.

Gene Reichenfeld issued an invitation to musician friends and anyone who would care to play for the "Summer Serenade." The only requirement was that the musicians had to be able to read music, as there was no rehearsal.  Musicians came from several states, including Ohio, New York, Virginia and West Virginia.  Attendees were encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and their picnic baskets.

In the late 1960’s, three chamber concerts were held in Kennerdell, including one at the annual Music and Arts Festival. There were nearly 100 musicians representing 14 orchestras.  Mostly classical music was played, but tunes from Broadway shows were played as well.

Young Kennerdell residents were used as ushers.  More than 100 artists displayed over 400 pieces of art. There were 12 large picnic tables, two water outlets, a children’s play area, a covered shelter, a large parking area, and "rustic sanitary facilities."  The Rockland Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary provided food.

In 1971, over 500 artists participated.  Most art was sold or offered for sale.  Parking filled two, six-acre tracts, as well as the surrounding roads. It was estimated that 1,000 cars and several thousand people attended.

Over time, the festival and all its glory eventually came to an end.  The Oil Heritage Region group attempted to revive the event by including it in the River Romp in the early 2000’s; moving it to a September date.  In previous years, it had always been held on the first Sunday in August.  The last Kennerdell Music and Arts Festival was in 2005.  It was the 49^th annual festival.  Since then, there had been no interest in anyone to try to organize the event.  Wilson Park and all of the buildings were left to sit empty for two years.

In the late winter of this past year, two long-time friends decided it was time to bring this wonderful event back to life.  Deanna Miller, who has lived in Kennerdell for almost 40 years (ironically at the old Charles Furniss residence where the first festivals were held), and Diana (Jones) Leininger, who’s parents have had a camp on South Tunnel Road for over 35 years, approached the Kennerdell Community Center with their idea.  The park is presently owned by the Community Center.  The officers and board members agreed it was time to revive the festival.

Deanna sings and plays guitar in the acoustic guitar duo, The Ryver Nymphs. She has lots of connections in music circles and thought she could convince enough musicians to schedule a full day of music.  Diana is an artist and all three of her daughters are involved in art. She has lots of connections in the art world and felt she could contact enough artists who would be interested.  It seemed only logical that they could make the day successful between the two of them.  Plus, they knew their passion and love for the village of Kennerdell would add that special spark back to the festival.  Both attended past festivals with their families and had many fond memories of the days in Wilson Park.  They just couldn’t imagine Kennerdell without the annual Kennerdell Music and Arts Festival.  It was also very exciting to them that this would be the 50^th year.

The team decided to move the event back to August but chose the first Saturday with a rain date as the first Sunday.  It will continue to be held in the future on the first Saturday in August. 

Planning really only got underway in April 2008, but the event has come together nicely with the help of many wonderful people and organizations.  Deanna and Diana hope to continue to build the event into what it once used to be.  If things go well, there could even be an entire weekend planned.  They hope you will continue to attend future festivals and support their efforts.  Please visit the website at

www.kennerdellartsfestival.com for contact information and continued plans for the festival.

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