41 years running: Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration

LEAVENWORTH – The sound of polkas, waltzes, and folk melodies drifted through downtown Leavenworth as accordion enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest, and far beyond, gathered June 25-28 for the 41st annual Leavenworth International accordion Celebration.

The annual festival brought musicians and accordion enthusiasts of all ages to Leavenworth for the multi-day festival of performances, competitions, workshops, and community events celebrating the instrument and the culture surrounding it. Events took place at venues throughout town, transforming Leavenworth into a hub for accordion music and community.

One attendee noted the wide-spread audience reached by the festival: “Players travel internationally to be here; from Canada and various areas around the country to get together and play.”

The festival’s Saturday afternoon parade drew crowds of spectators as dozens of accordion players marched through the downtown, accompanied by a horse-drawn carriage. The procession paused at the outdoor Gazebo, where the accordionists performed for an audience of spectators gathered for the music.

Throughout the celebration, the Gazebo served as a central gathering place for attendees. Accordion players signed up for performance time slots, sharing favorite songs and personal repertoire with visitors and fellow musicians. 

“I always look forward to playing at the Gazebo, where you can sign up for a 15 or 30 minute time slot and play for the crowd,” said long-time attendee Steve Gordon, who travels from the state of Oregon each year to attend the festival. “This year, I played the accordion while my wife sang, and we performed a lot of fun music together. It’s what we look forward to.” 

The Festhalle hosted concerts, competitions and an extensive accordion display featuring more than 60 instruments. Student accordionists participated in competitions judged by experienced musicians, while attendees had opportunities to listen to performances form both amatuer and professional players. 

At the Grange Hall, festival-goers participated in workshops and lessons led by instructors Lori Beth Brooke, Gail Campanella, Toby Hanson and Jan Marhoul. The venue also offered sheet music sales and educational programming for players seeking to develop their skills.

For many attendees, however, the festival’s greatest appeal extends beyond performances and instruction to the sense of community it fosters among accordion enthusiasts. One participant said that experiencing the celebration of the shared interest was what drew him back each year.

“The evening concerts are always a highlight because they have professional bands playing,” said Tom Dale, another long-time participant in the celebration. “This year they had a Swiss band playing,”

Andreas Keller Restaurant was repeatedly highlighted by festival participants as a favorite destination and as the place to be for dinner-time accordion music. During the festival, the restaurant becomes a hub for informal performances and impromptu jam sessions, continuing a tradition that is a crowd-favorite hallmark of the celebration. 

Sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society, the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration has brought accordion players and enthusiasts together for more than four decades, offering opportunities for performance, education and fellowship while preserving and celebrating the traditions of accordion music.

Hazel Eschen: 509-731-4392 or hazel@ward.media