Waiting on the festival to happen

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 reporter