Documentary Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest to Premiere on Maryland Public Television

Jul 20, 2026 8:30 AM

The feature-length documentary Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest will make its broadcast debut on Maryland Public Television (MPT) on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m., bringing the story of one of Western Maryland's most beloved music festivals to audiences across the region.

The documentary will also air on MPT2/Create with encore broadcasts on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 9 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 27, at 10 p.m. Beginning Aug. 3, the film will also be available to stream on MPT's online video platform and will be posted to the MPT Presents channel on the PBS app at https://video.mpt.tv/show/mpt-presnets/. MPT's statewide broadcast network reaches all of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and portions of neighboring states, making the film accessible to viewers throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Directed and produced by Frostburg State University associate professor of digital media and visual arts Annie Danzi, Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest explores the internationally recognized DelFest music festival and its profound impact on Cumberland, Md., and the surrounding Appalachian region. Through exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access, the documentary chronicles how legendary bluegrass musician Del McCoury and his family helped transform a community through music, philanthropy and lasting personal connections.

"We are incredibly proud and excited to partner with Maryland Public Television/PBS to bring Sweet Appalachia: The Story of DelFest to audiences across the region via broadcast and streaming," said Danzi. "This documentary was a true labor of love filmed over an immersive six-year period, but what makes it entirely unique is how it merged academia with real-world application. By bringing Frostburg State University students onto the crew to assist in every stage of production, we were able to showcase collaborative education in action.” Danzi continued, “Having MPT present our film is not just a win for the project itself, but a testament to the invaluable, hands-on experience our undergraduate students gained while working on a professional, feature-length production."

The documentary features intimate conversations with Del, Rob and Ronnie McCoury, as well as acclaimed artists including Billy Strings and Sierra Hull. The film also provides unprecedented access to the planning, production and community spirit that have made DelFest a destination for bluegrass fans from around the world.

Beyond telling the story of the festival, the production also served as a unique educational experience for Frostburg State University students. Danzi intentionally integrated undergraduate students into every phase of the filmmaking process, allowing them to work alongside professional filmmakers on a feature-length documentary.

Associate Producer Sidney Beeman ‘19 began working on the project as an FSU student before advancing into a professional leadership role on the production.

“I'm so honored and excited for this film to premiere on MPT/PBS. As someone born and raised in Western Maryland, it's important to me for the region to be seen, and for audiences beyond it to understand the joy and community DelFest brings to this area,” said Beeman. “I started as a student on this film and six years later, finishing it as Associate Producer. Working on this film didn't just teach me the craft. It set the direction my career has taken, proof of what experiential learning can do for students.” Beeman continued, “I'm grateful to my professor and mentor, Annie Danzi, for bringing me onto the film, and I can't wait for people to feel the magic of what it's like to be at DelFest, even just watching from home!”     The documentary also examines Cumberland's evolution from a once-thriving industrial city into a community embracing arts, culture and heritage as part of its revitalization. At the heart of that transformation is DelFest, which has become both an internationally recognized music festival and an economic and cultural catalyst for Western Maryland.

The premiere on Maryland Public Television represents an important milestone for the project, introducing the documentary to viewers throughout the region while highlighting the collaborative work of Frostburg State University faculty, students and professional filmmakers.

For more information about broadcast times and streaming availability, visit MPT's website.