GARDNER, Mass. — Terrapinfest, an “earthy-crunchy” music festival featuring folk artists, Grateful Dead jam bands and various vendors, featured 10 hours of outdoor performances at the Polish American Citizens Club (PACC) in Gardner this past Saturday. But Elizabeth Leonard, the organizer of Terrapinfest — named after Terrapin Station, the title of the Grateful Dead’s ninth studio album — was unsure if the concert was going to happen at all this year.

“At first, we didn’t know,” said Leonard. 

The festival has been in existence for 21 years. It was initially held outdoors at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club in Baldwinville and the Royalston Fish & Game Club, among other area venues. But for the last nine years, it has taken place at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner, which has both indoor and outdoor stages. The concert was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The PACC called me about having it, but I could only have 150 people in attendance, and that included band members, so I said, ‘that’s not really going to work,’” said Leonard. “That doesn’t leave much for an audience to pay anybody.”

On May 29, the state rescinded all of the capacity restrictions, except for mask requirements, in certain spaces. This was a little sooner than expected, and Leonard was still concerned about putting on the event.

“I didn’t want anyone to get sick here, and COVID cases are climbing again. I was a little unnerved by that,” she said.

However, Leonard said that with the vaccine rollout, she decided to move forward with the show.

“I think most of the people here are vaccinated, so I am not too worried,” Leonard said. “Then everything started falling into place. People started calling and asking ‘are we doing it?’”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Health Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard, as of Aug. 5, 58% of Worcester County residents age 12 and over are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The concert kicked off at noon with local folk legend Heidi-Jo Hanson taking the outdoor stage. Other acts included Nikki Howard, a Worcester native, and local cover band, The Traveling Jones, playing on the indoor stage.

Roughly 250 people made an appearance at the show throughout the day, with many staying throughout. Some attendees sat subdued in lawn chairs while others danced. The venue was never overcrowded.

Photo by Genevieve DiNatale.

The outside stage was surrounded by food trucks and local artisans selling earrings made of leather strips, glass pipes and mini stone sculptures, among other things. Food trucks served Italian sausage sandwiches, onion rings, fries, popcorn, cotton candy and fresh-squeezed lemonade and limeade.

Kaitlin Gearin, 29, a Hubbardston resident who is dating Corey Laine, the bass player of The Traveling Jones, was at the concert in advance of the band’s 6:00 p.m. performance. 

“I am here for him, for the music, the vendors, the vibe,” said Gearin. Later adding, “I think it’s great. The music’s awesome, a lot of people, great vendors. I haven’t gotten around to the food yet, but it smells delicious.”

Most of the bands that performed at Terrapinfest were cover bands, and the vast majority played some Grateful Dead. A new Grateful Dead cover band called “Morning Brü,” put together by local guitar legend Chris “The Captain” Coombs debuted at the concert as well. 

Morning Brü performing. Photo by Genevieve DiNatale.

For Leonard, a self-proclaimed “Dead Head,” the festival is an extension of her love for the band — but it’s not the only form its taken. 

“When Jerry Garcia died, I said ‘oh my gosh, what do I do with my life?’” she said.

And so, she retired from the nuclear industry where she worked as a radio chemist for 25 years, opening a Grateful Dead store in downtown Gardner called Terrapin Moon. Terrapinfest is yet another piece of her passion puzzle.