The Lowell Sun

Another success for GrotonFest
By LYNN WORTHY, Sun Staff
September 2005

GROTON -- If it seems like there's a party or parade of some sort every week in Groton, well that's because there is, and the this weekend was no different.

Despite a one-day delay because of a rainy forecast, GrotonFest attracted troves of people to Legion Common yesterday, displaying the drawing power that has made the event a mainstay in town for more than 30 years.

“It's a community event,” said Groton Selectman Jack Saball, who was enjoying festivities with his son and grandson. “It's Groton. It's something unique. That's why we keep coming back.”

Even with the move from Saturday to yesterday, approximately 159 booths were set up along Legion Common, GrotonFest coordinator Jane Bouvier said.

The change of date actually caused five artisans to forgoe their participation in GrotonFest, but spectators would have been hard-pressed to notice any shortages.

This year's festivities attracted vendors from all over New England.

“We had 60 artists this year, more than ever,” said Anne Thibeau, arts and logistics coordinator for GrotonFest.

Along with the arts-and-crafts booths featuring all types of homemade goods, there were hay rides, pony rides and concession stands operated by numerous local organizations.

Groton EMS and fire officials were also on hand, providing tours and demonstrations of their vehicles.

Each year GrotonFest also features performances by locals, performing dance routines or singing, but a special guest performer was added to the lineup late this week.

Jeremy Lyons, a native of New Orleans, took the stage yesterday afternoon just days after he and his family finally began settling into the Boston area.

After Hurricane Katrina hit, Lyons found himself displaced from his home and uncertain when or if he'll be able to go back. He brought his wife and their 6-year-old daughter to Cambridge where he has family.

“I had to find a place to get away from all the mess and get my daughter in school,” Lyons said.

He managed to successfully enroll his daughter in school, and family members helped Lyons find a place to stay for the time being.

For the past 13 years, Lyons has been making his living in New Orleans by singing and playing various types of guitars. He and his band, the Deltabilly Boys, describe their sound as a mixture of old delta and hill-country blues.

In New Orleans, Lyons met Groton resident Jim Ray in 1995. Ray was going to law school in the area at the time.

Since then, Ray and his wife have become friends with Lyons, and made at least 30 trips to see him perform.

Ray said Lyons has performed for thousands in New Orleans.

When Ray heard that Lyons had landed in the Boston area, he put out the word in an e-mail to the Squannacook River Runners that he was interested in getting Lyons on the list of performers for GrotonFest.

In a three-day span from Wednesday to Friday, Ray, Lyons and Bouvier, managed to hammer out details to make Lyons a part of GrotonFest.

The hope is that performances like GrotonFest will help Lyons gain a fan base in the area.

The rush to evacuate New Orleans left Lyons with few possessions; he doesn't even have CDs to sell.

“My understanding is they've lost everything but five guitars and their clothes,” Ray said of Lyons and his family.

Lyons said he was thankful for the chance to perform yesterday, and the kindness he's been shown since relocating.

Despite all that has happened, Lyons is trying to stay optomistic, saying, “There are advantages up here that we couldn't take advantage of down there.”

While he hopes to make it back down south after the school year, he thinks the Greater Boston area will be a great place for him to perform.

Next Sunday, Lyons is scheduled to perform at a Hurricane Relief Benefit concert sponsored by LowellRocks at the Reflections club in Chelmsford.

For more information on Lyons and the Deltabilly Boys visit them online at www.deltabilly.com

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