Shepherdstown once again becomes a place where dulcimer players find the best there is in workshops and concerts for the hammered dulcimer.  From September 12-14, the Upper Potomac Dulcimer Fest hosts it's twenty-first annual Fall Weekend where it features small, intensive workshops with some of the best teachers and players that can be found on the instrument.  The workshops take place in a variety of community spaces in Shepherdstown and run from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.  In addition to the workshops for dulcimer players, there is a host of other activities open to other musicians and the general public.

Located in historic Shepherdstown, the workshops have a local intimacy that spawns a lot of creativity.  Lessons, concerts, jam sessions, tune swaps, open mikes, and more are part of the weekend’s activities with students from all over the east coast attending the workshops.  The workshops are for all levels of players, from new beginners renting instruments for the very first time during the weekend to seasoned players who teach and perform in their home communities.  Classes are not just for hammered dulcimer players, this year’s festival has classes for mixed instruments and ensemble classes open for most other instruments as well.

The weekend's public events start off with a student open mike at the Shepherdstown War Memorial Building (aka. Men’s Club) on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. 

At the Open Mike, festival participants are encouraged to share with the community a favorite piece from their repertoire.  Teachers too, often get up for a short number to add variety to the show.  The atmosphere is lively and informal and is designed to give the students a chance to get to know one another better, show off new and interesting techniques and build confidence with performance skills.  Afterwards, all are welcome to stay for a jam session that goes into the wee hours and gives everyone a chance to play their favorite music together.  Jam sessions are a wonderful part of this festival where everyone can participate and there is no cost.  Local community members who play instruments are encourged to come and join in the fun, and the repertoire ranges from traditional American and celtic repertoire to more ecclectic pieces.