in the Press

BEST SMALL FESTIVAL OF 2023

We ❤️ Small Festivals!

WINNER: Ramble Festival

On Friday, October 6th, 2023, the gates for The Ramble Festival opened in Darlington, MD. From the moment guests arrived at Camp Ramblewood, it was apparent, just like last year, that this is one of the most memorable and spectacular independent music festivals you will find anywhere in the United States. Setting the tone this year, festival-goers were greeted by none other than organizers and figureheads Jason and Brick. They greeted each vehicle with gleaming eyes and beaming smiles, handing out high-fives and greetings galore. Just a few feet from our gracious greeters, one would see the Ramble Buskers performing for you - led by the busking ambassador and Baltimore musician Caleb Stine. Before you even stepped foot on festival grounds, it became apparent that the festival creatives were intent on making this a memorable and unique weekend for each and every person.

Have you ever been to a concert or a music festival and felt excluded or ripped off because there is an uber-expensive VIP area dividing most fans from the stage? Or have you felt left out at a festival because you couldn’t attend the intimate VIP sets because of the cost of the extra tickets? If you said yes to either of these questions, Darlington, MD’s Ramble Festival is for you!

The road to Ramble is getting shorter by the day and while the DMV is just starting to experience the break in temperatures to let us know that Fall is on its way, one of our most anticipated events of the season is on the horizon! The Ramble Festival, now in its second year, is gearing up to be even better than the first and the vibes are sure to remain high, in part, thanks to the unforgettable Vibe Tribe itself.

What the Ramble Family is doing in order to build a sustainable and all-inclusive festival, is exactly why it will continue to be one on the bucket-list of festival goers for years to come. At Camp Ramblewood, it's all about connection and community and ensuring that is the core reason for the gathering where strangers become family. Founders of the festival wanted to do something different with this one and they have undoubtably succeeded in doing just that.

Out in the pastoral landscapes of Darlington, MD, the sound of music wafts through Camp Ramblewood across campfires, out the doors of a barn, and into the hearts and souls of thousands. The commotion comes from the eclectic The Ramble Festival, now in its second year of delivering a fresh take on the music festival experience.

Taking place roughly 40 minutes north of Baltimore and an hour south of Philadelphia, The Ramble Festival 2023 will bring in top acts including The Del McCoury Band, a guest-filled TAUK Moore set, The Motet, The Grateful Ball ft. The Travelin’ McCourys, Neighbor, Dogs In A Pile, and more for a three-day celebration. But more important than the artists onstage or the music emanating from the speakers are the people in the audience who have come together to form what has already become a tight-knit community in just one year.

That concept of community was pivotal to the festival’s creation, as co-founder Brandon “Brick” Lohr recently told Live For Live Music. As the festival gears up for its second installment October 6th–8th, it’s that same sense of community that will carry it forward for years to come.

April 17, 2023

In this special Rage Talk episode, Rich and cohost Wendy Beck (Abby and Shawn as well) have a conversation with Brick and Will Gibbons of The Ramble Festival.

Are you ready to escape the mundane and immerse yourself in a world of music, wonder, and community? Look no further than The Ramble Festival, a three-day extravaganza that promises to be an adventure like no other.

April 12, 2023

Last year The Ramble Festival burst onto the festival circuit as if they had been long established and we all somehow failed to notice them for all these years. Everywhere music fans went in 2022 they saw strategically placed banners and flyers announcing their 2022 lineup. People asked how they had overlooked this magical festival.

Little did we all know that the 2022 edition was the first edition of this festival and was the brainchild of two passionate music lovers who manifested and breathed life into this special music festival.

April 12, 2023

The Ramble Festival will make its return to Darlington, MD in October 2023 with a lineup topped by The Del McCoury Band, TAUK Moore featuring Robert Randolph, Jason Hann (The String Cheese Incident), and The Funky Dawgz horns, and The Motet. The second-year festival will take place at Camp Redwood from October 6th–8th.

Produced by Brandon “Brick” Lohr and Jason “J” Hubert, the inaugural Ramble Festival held at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, MD from October 7-9, transpired smoothly, as fans enjoyed nearly perfect fall weather near the Susquehanna, mere miles from Pennsylvania. Camp Ramblewood has held other music events, but Ramble Fest hosted a wide variety of bluegrass, brass, indie rock, blues, country, Americana and folk music from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Indiana, Colorado, California, and many other states, with fans traveling from all over the US and internationally to enjoy fun in the sun with cool nights & campfire jams.

October 14, 2022

With cooler temperatures sneaking in, hours of daylight getting fewer and fewer and holidays just over the horizon, we have come to the time of year where we sadly bid farewell to festival season on the east coast. Thankfully, one last trip to the stage was available and thoroughly enjoyed by those of us who were able to attend the first ever Ramble Festival in Darlington, Maryland October 7th, 8th and 9th.

October 18, 2022

This past year saw plenty of festivals cropping up from coast to coast, but not all of them have been so carefully created as to put a communal mindset above all else with the hope of creating a sustainable and meaningful gathering for years to come.

October 4, 2022

An all-new bluegrass music festival is kicking off this weekend in Harford County.

Taking place at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, The Ramble Festival has been a "labor of love," for organizers Jason "J" Hubert and Brandon "Brick" Lohr. The pair are both avid music lovers and first met at a festival in 2017.

September 13, 2022

In the interview, Brick and J cover topics on the inspiration for Ramble Fest, difficulties associated with setting up a new music festival, and their vision for the future.

Friday, April 8th, 2022

The Ramble Festival has shared its innaugural artist lineup for the Darlington, Md. event scheduled to take place on Oct. 7 through 9 at Camp Ramblewood…

Tuesday, October 4th, 2022

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

The inaugural The Ramble Festival boasts a 2022 lineup headlined by two sets of Leftover Salmon as well as Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The HillBenders and The Travelin’ McCourys. The three-day community-centric music event focused on good people sharing good music and good vibes will take place at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, Maryland between October 7 – 9….

Friday, April 8th, 2022

The Ramble Festival will debut October 7th–9th at Darlington, MD’s Camp Ramblewood with headliners Leftover Salmon (two sets), Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more…

Coming up October 7-9, the Ramble Festival kicks off its inaugural year of the Fall fest includes camping and cabins, with a heavy-hitting jam band, bluegrass, and brass band music lineup featuring the favorites, just 75 miles south of Philly in Darlington, MD at Camp Ramblewood on indoor and outdoor stages. The festival will also feature three separate themed nights to add to the fun. The festival focuses on creating community through shared experiences and a mutual love of live music, in a gorgeous outdoor setting right near the Susquehanna River. Come for the music, be part of the vibe, and find your tribe.

Friday, April 8th, 2022

The Ramble Festival, a new festival coming to Darlington, MD from October 7 – 9, 2022, has announced its inaugural lineup, with Leftover Salmon and Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring the Hillbenders headlining.

The Ramble Festival has announced its inaugural lineup, featuring the best in jam, grass, and brass performing on three stages at beautiful Camp Ramblewood on Oct. 7-9, 2022. The festival is inspired by the unifying power and love of live music and aims to foster a community of like-minded music lovers.