The Sound That Stays festival will bring a day of live music and remembrance to Antlers on the Water in Williamsport this fall, a press release said. The inaugural event will honor Maxwell “Max” Engle, a 17-year-old from Jersey Shore whose life and love of music inspired an outpouring of support from across Pennsylvania.

The rain-or-shine festival will be held all day on Oct. 4.

In September of 2023, Engle suffered a traumatic brain injury during a Jersey Shore high school football game. His story reached far beyond his hometown as communities across the state rallied in support. Fundraisers, “wear orange” days, and countless acts of kindness poured in, helping carry his family through their darkest hours.

“Max was a quiet soul with a deep love for music — the kind that connects people,” the press release said. “Born in the 2000s, but bearing an old soul, he’d haul a record player and sound system out to a campfire, spinning vinyl under the stars for friends. His record collection grew quickly, and music became his outlet for expression, communication, and comfort.”

“When we think about how to possibly thank this community for the unwavering love and support they showed us during the hardest days of our lives, we are filled with gratitude. What better way to honor them than with music and a place where we can all gather, remember, and find comfort together,” the Engle family said. “The Sound That Stays is our way of honoring Max’s life and spirit while giving back to the community he loved. Our hope is to build a festival worthy of Max’s spirit, where music could bring comfort, connection, and celebration to all who carry the weight of loss.”

Featuring a blend of hometown favorites and touring talent from across the country, The Sound That Stays offers a rare chance for local audiences to discover new artists alongside the music they already love. The Americana, outlaw country, bluegrass, and roots-inspired lineup includes: Gabe Stillman, Justin Jeansonne, Logan Halstead, Cass & The Bailout Crew, Ma’am, Maitland, Sylvan Dell Stragglers, The Heartstrings, Troy Love, Nathaniel Mowery, and performances from the Uptown Music Collective.

The event will see 100% of proceeds go to the newly established Maxwell Engle Memorial Organization (MEMO), dedicated to making music education accessible to kids of all ages. MEMO’s first initiative will fund a full-year scholarship for a student at the Uptown Music Collective, a premier nonprofit music school in Williamsport. The organization’s mission is rooted in the belief that music can help young people process emotions, find their voice, and connect with others — just as it did for Max.

“The Engle family hopes The Sound That Stays will grow into an annual tradition that not only honors Max’s legacy but also creates a space for others to find comfort, connection, and joy through music,” the press release said. “They invite the community — and all who have experienced loss — to gather by the river, celebrate the lives of those gone too soon, and experience firsthand the healing power of music.”

Tickets and full festival details are available at thesoundthatstays.com.