HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – For those seeking a weekend filled with music, art, and holistic living, all while treading lightly on the earth, the second annual Barefoot Music and Arts Festival offers a unique experience.

Set to take place this Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Bethel Farm Yoga & Living Arts Center, the festival invites attendees to immerse themselves in a vibrant tapestry of sound, color, and community.

This year’s event promises to build on the success of its inaugural run, expanding to include 20 musical performances, visual art installations, and a diverse range of movement workshops. The festival, which encourages a leave-no-trace ethos, aims to be a sustainable and inclusive gathering where everyone feels welcome and inspired.

Jenn Bakalar, of locally-based indie rock band, The Evocatives (taking the festival stage Saturday evening), performed at Bethel Farm during one summer a few years ago. One of the band’s members had a connection to owner Stephen Bethel, an artist whose studio is on the property.

Bakalar said the turnout was high and she and her band mates talked about making it more of an event in the future and involving other bands.

They also talked about the yoga and living arts center and how it fit in with the expression and creativity of music and visual art, deciding the event should be two days with camping so people could experience everything.

They sought out artists through their musical connections and word of mouth.

Some of the bands in the lineup are local friends of theirs with whom they’ve shared stages.

The festival’s musical lineup is a reflection of its eclectic spirit. The two-day event will feature performances by local and regional artists, spanning genres from folk and Americana to psychedelic rock and house music.

Gates open at 10 a.m. on both days, with music beginning shortly thereafter. Saturday’s lineup includes Denny Kemps, a southwestern New Hampshire-based experimental musician known for his “long-form, hypnagogic instrumental music,” and Ian Galipeau, an indie-rock singer-songwriter whose folk-infused sound appeals to the “hopeful cynic.” Also performing is the Great Groove Theory, a band rooted in the blues with a blend of funk, rock, and jam band elements. Superbug, a ska/pop band, and alternative folk group Party of the Sun will also take the stage, along with pop-rockers Hug the Dog (closing out the night Saturday).

Sunday’s performances will feature new acts to the festival, including folk-rocker Andrea Paquin and Tyler Allgood, a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Bennington, N.H. Sara Trunzo, an independent singer-songwriter and community organizer, will bring her introspective folk sound to the festival, followed by southern Vermont’s Deep Seize, an electronic/world fusion duo. The day will also include performances by the Caylin Costello Band, psychedelic blues group Modern Fools, and Grateful Dead-inspired Kendall Row. Closing the festival on Sunday night is DJ Flex, a Chicago-based DJ known for his energetic sets.

While music is a central part of the festival, it’s also a celebration of visual art. The festival grounds be the site of installations and live painting by artists such as Sophie Sanders, a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the sanctity of water and the expressive potential of mandalas. Sanders, who is new to the festival this year, has exhibited her work at venues such as the African American Museum in Dallas and Burning Man’s Museum of No Spectators.

Joining Sanders is painter Mindy Fisher, known for her chaotic abstract scenes and experimental color schemes, and sculptor Adam Schepker, who creates large participatory sculptures out of wood, stone, and metal. These artists, along with others, will be creating live art throughout the weekend, inviting festival-goers to witness the creative process in real-time.

In addition to visual art, the festival will offer a rich schedule of movement workshops. These include open-level Vinyasa yoga, breathwork sessions, partner massage, and acro yoga. The workshops are designed to be accessible to all, whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious beginner. The festival also offers a gentle reminder to practice mindfulness and self-care through activities like walking meditation and a Yin Yoga session accompanied by a transformational sound bath.

One of the core principles of the Barefoot Music and Arts Festival is its commitment to sustainability. In an effort to minimize waste, the festival has adopted a strict “leave no trace” policy. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, mess kits, and avoid single-use plastics and glass. Compostable waste and aluminum cans will be the only items accepted for disposal on-site; all other trash must be packed out.

Bakalar has said another guiding principle of this non-profit, volunteer-run event is inclusion. The festival was designed to be a welcoming space where everyone feels free to express themselves without judgment.

The festival is also intended to be a substance-free environment, further emphasizing its focus on creating a healing, safe, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Bakalar said making money is not the festival objective beyond keeping it sustainable.

“We do it because it’s super-fun,” she said. “We’re giving bands an opportunity to play festival where they might not be able to do so otherwise. People can bring their kids and friends; we’re doing it for the community.”

The Barefoot Music and Arts Festival is open to all, with day passes available for $45 and weekend passes with overnight camping priced at $80. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Camping is available on-site, with plenty of room for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the weekend’s activities.

Food trucks, including Taco Beyond of Hillsborough and treats from Orchard Hill Breadworks, will be on hand to provide sustenance throughout the event along with Terra Nova Coffee of Keene. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food as well, particularly if they have specific dietary needs.

While festival organizers have also added more parking options this year to accommodate the expected crowd, for those planning to attend, it is recommended to pre-purchase tickets and arrive early to secure a spot.

For more information, including a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit www.barefootmusicandarts.com.