Foot stomping, string-snapping music will resound from the beams of Harmony's historic structures to mark the start of a new festival.

The Heritage Music Festival will celebrate the traditional music of the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountain regions.

“The festival's goal is to celebrate the music inspired by or performed by the Harmonists,” said Cheryl Speir, festival chairman and board member of Historic Harmony.

“The Harmonists were a Lutheran separatist group who established Harmony as a communal settlement in 1804. They left a broad musical legacy, some of which will be performed at the festival.”

Events will begin in the 1805 Harmonist Barn, 303 Mercer Road, and the Mennonite meeting house, Wise Road, July 28 and 29.

The two venues are linked by the Harmony Walking Trail.

The festival has already secured a lineup of musicians and groups of both national and regional renown.

The Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Drifters will be headlining Friday night's festivities, bringing their own brand of Appalachian music.

The next night, Cello Fury will kick off the evening with their high energy perspective on the region's musical heritage.

Other groups will include The Hill and the Rivers, Old Song Rescue Society, Pittsburgh Historic Music Society Orchestra, Snappin' Bug String Band, Sarah Sternaka and Devin Sherman, “Gertrude Rapp” and the Silk House Singers, Well Strung, Pittsburgh Banjo Club, South Wind, Midnight Rooster, Mirror Trio, and The Wayward Companions.

The festival also will feature student musicians from Seneca Valley High School, McPharlin Music Shop and Lazier's Harmony Music Studios.

The event will include vendors and a beer garden featuring local brewers North Country Brewing and ShuBrew. Food and other vendors will be located at the Harmonist Barn.

Historic Harmony is sponsoring the event, and much of the funding was given by an anonymous donor. “We have a donor who had discussed this kind of festival with our longtime President John Ruch,” said Rodney Gasch, current president of Historic Harmony. “When John passed away last fall, this donor didn't want that dream to die. The festival is dedicated to the historic vision of John Ruch and his widow, Shelby.”

Weekend passes can be purchased for $10 and cover admission for both days. Seniors, youths and Harmony Museum members can purchase tickets for $7. Children under 5 are admitted free.

Tickets will be available at the door and also at eventbrite.com starting Tuesday.

For more information, visit harmonymuseum.org or call 724-452-7341 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.