The following was written by 13 year old Alexis Goldsmith from Avilla who
has attended the festival every year of her life. She presents her
perspective on the NIBGA festival held at the 4H Fairgrounds in
Kendallville, Indiana
Bluegrass Festival Anticipation Syndrome
If you lived here in Kendallville, IN (or anywhere within a several hundred mile
radius) you might notice a sort of jumpy feeling around the beginning of May or
September. We call this BFAS, or Bluegrass Festival Anticipation Syndrome.
Usually, it starts right around the time you realize that the Northern Indiana
Bluegrass Association's (NIBGA) semiannual celebration is only a couple weeks
away. By the week before the festival starts, campers and tents have already
been set up by people determined to get a good spot. A good ninety or hundred
trailers and RVs arrive a week before the event even starts.
On your first day, you'll meet everybody whether you intend to or not.
Conversations will spark as you sit eating a meal, made fresh right in front of
you, at the Lion's Club Food booth or one of the many others. Friendly, smiling
people will ask you where you come from and what instruments you enjoy the most,
and you'll find yourself smiling back over a common interest of music. The
fairgrounds are secured with high fencing and gates, and there are always police
on patrol during the festivities.
The music from the stage can be heard across the Fairgrounds, blending with the
many spontaneous campfire jams which anyone is welcome to join. Have a seat in
the covered pavilion and enjoy the performances of bands from all over the
country, then meet them at the membership table tent afterward. Come see people
of all ages show off their talents on stage. The Fort Wayne Suzuki Talent
Education program also performs annually, spotlighting the talents of dozens of
children as young as six and seven.
On Friday afternoon, the log cabin is the place for adult crafts. Recently, for
a small fee, we've made glass lamps, jewelry, plates, basketry, and other
household décor. All day Saturday, the log cabin also hosts several instrumental
workshops, in which bands performing at the festival give demonstrations and
instructions on improving as a musician.
On Saturday morning, kids can enjoy a variety of activities at "Kid's Korner."
Past projects include tie-dye, T-shirt design, beading, woodwork, card design,
and seasonal crafts. Or join in the chess and checker tournament, because you
don't have to be a skilled player to win the handmade, wooden game board offered
as a prize (courtesy of Pat Yorke). Kids can also win door prizes from local
vendors and NIBGA merchandise. Complementary snacks of fresh fruit, juice, and
pastries are offered.
But, after a weekend full of music, dancing, and laughter, when the people start
leaving for their far away homes, a person might fall into BFWD (Bluegrass
Festival Withdrawal Disorder). If you stay long enough to see them empty, the
fairgrounds don't look right without the familiar people in them. They don't
feel right as quiet as they are, without the sound of campfire jams wafting
through the air. But don't worry, because the next one will come sooner than you
think.
Alexis Goldsmith - NIBGA reporterReturn to NIBGA Home
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Updated
Sunday, April 25, 2010 15:30