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A new festival showcasing local musicians and businesses will debut in Appleton. The festival kicks off with a pre-party starting at 9 p.m. at The Cold Shot on November 8 and concludes on November 11 with an after-party brunch, hosted at Menasha’s The Source Public House. Musical performances will take place 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. on November 9 and 10 at Gibson Music Hall on Appleton’s College Avenue. 

Festival organizer Jon Sobie says the event supports Wisconsin-based bands and businesses, especially those local to the Fox Valley. 

“Mile of Music is great, but I wanted to do something more intimate and less hectic,” he says. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t one of my goals to get a bunch of my favorite artists all under one roof in my hometown area.” 

More than 20 bands will perform including Joseph Huber, Left Lane Cruiser, The Monsters of Grass, Sons of Kong and many more. Local businesses also have the opportunity to get in on the action. For example, Shear Chaos Salon & Barbering Co. will have products and merchandise available at the venue and offer on-site haircuts, beard trims and shaves. 

“The roots community is one big family,” Sobie says. “You can travel to any of the roots festivals around the country and see the same smiling faces. It’s not uncommon to look over and realize you’re sharing the crowd with members of the bands you just watched play.”

With musical genres ranging from blues and bluegrass to folk and Americana, the performing acts represent the styles that helped shape what music is today, Sobie says. 

“Without music, life would be rather dull,” he says. “Fox Valley Roots Festival isn’t just about supporting, but celebrating music – celebrating its roots.” 

The full music lineup can be found on on the festival’s Facebook event page. For tickets, visit foxvalleyrootsfestival.brownpapertickets.com