The 2025 Laurel Concert Series offers five shows that will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. The concerts are free and open to the public. Donations to support them appreciated.

House of Sterling, the Wellsboro-based folk-Americana duo of Molly Cary and Joe Callahan, opens the series at 7 p.m. Monday, June 16 on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Cary and Callahan will play their guitars and sing their own originals and some unexpected covers. Their diverse sound is a modern twist on the harmony-centric approach taken by The Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel with a nod to the old-time bluegrass tradition for which Wellsboro and the greater Tioga County area are known.

Celtic Wood and Wires, a band from the Williamsport area, will perform their own original music and play upbeat, traditional songs and tunes from Ireland and Scotland along with a “wee bit” of Appalachian at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage. Sandi Finnerty on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, Shelley Whitnack on fiddle, viola and ukulele, Michael J. Miller on guitar, and Carl Finnerty on bodhrán drum are all vocalists. The band released its first album, “Close The Back Door” in September 2021 and its second, “Into The Music” in September 2024. Both CDs are on major digital platforms, such as Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube and Pandora. Since January 2022, the band has had many songs featured on multiple episodes of Marc Gunn: Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, which is broadcast worldwide.

The Almost World-Famous Wellsboro Town Band will perform Pennsylvania-related songs outdoors on The Green at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. Among the tunes highlighting composers, attractions and the people that make this commonwealth great are: “Appalachian Overture”, “March Salutation”, “It is Well With My Soul”, and “Mancini Magic.” Bring lawn chairs, a blanket, a picnic supper and enjoy. Rain location: Auditorium, Wellsboro School District Administration Building, 227 Nichols Street.  

The Wellsboro Men’s and Women’s Choruses will lift their voices in song at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19 in the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro. The women will sing “All the Things You Are”, “How Sweet It is To Be Loved By You”, “You’re My Best Friend”, “The King and I Medley” and others. The men will sing “76 Trombones”, “Open a New Window”, “Bright Morning Stars Appalachian”, and “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.”  The two choruses will join in singing “The Impossible Dream”.

Molly’s Boys Jug Band will open the Queens Preview at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 20 on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage. The 24 Laurel Queen candidates will be introduced at 5 p.m. and invited to perform with the band using homemade plastic drums, spoons and washboards. Molly’s Boys will captivate the audience by playing blues, folk, old-time, and original songs, with Jay Short of Williamsport on lead guitar, Gerry Cavaliere of Danville on guitar and Dave Driskell of Wellsboro on clarinet, sax, flute, banjo, musical saw, jug and washboard. 

The rain location for the three outdoor stage concerts is the Deane Center lobby.

For more information about Laurel Festival activities, stop in at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro, call 570-724-1926, email info@wellsboropa.com or visit  www.wellsboropa.com.