Grange Fair (July 5)
5 days of bluegrass music. Are we big enough fans to do it?
It should not have surprised us (although of course it did) that some people spend their vacations going from bluegrass festival to bluegrass festival. What did surprise us is just how many options there are for doing this, even if you just confine your travels to Pennsylvania. However, for our first bluegrass festival, we picked a good one.
Although the Grange Fairgrounds have a bandstand, the festival was set up with a stage on an open area on the grass, with 3 large open “shade” tents and an unshaded area in front of the stage. Behind the tents is a gentle grassy slope, suitable for chairs or blankets.
When we entered the fairgrounds, we were told to arrive at the tents with lawn chairs at 1:00 to get a spot. However, on my early morning dogwalk, I discovered that there were signs instructing people to leave their chairs “in line” and return at 1:00 to set up. Here are our chairs in the line. Because of this, we got a very good spot in the second row of a tent. (With rain threatening, the first row did not seem like a great idea!)
Even for RV camping, this seemed to be an older crowd. I was probably near the median age. It also seemed like an unhealthy crowd (although this may be age-related). Many people were using walking aids and/or had obesity problems.
It was also a very friendly and well-behaved crowd. We had many nice, although brief, conversations with fellow campers, and enjoyed jam sessions throughout the day and evening. I did not observe any drinking or pot. People were polite during the concerts and at the concessions. Lost items were announced between performances and returned to their owners, including wallets and money.
There was also a strong Christian element to the festival. The organizer and many of the performers mentioned religion quite often, and gospel songs got quite a cheer from the crowd.
I was, however, shocked by the number of Confederate flags I saw. This was to become a source of major discomfort for me – many RVs (even those with PA license plates) were flying Confederate flags, many in the audience had the flag on clothing or hats, and one of the vendors sold the gear. To me (although not to Chuck) this was somewhat of a moral dilemma. On one hand, we were all there to have fun. On the other hand, I knew that if these were swastikas instead of Confederate flags, I would not be complacent and silent. In the end, I decided that it made more sense to talk to the organizer than to try to confront every individual.
Throughout the festival, Ryan, the organizer, kept stressing “Christian values” and a “family friendly” atmosphere. So I approached him from the viewpoint of the consistency of selling gear with a hate symbol at the festival. I figure if the vendors are no longer selling the stuff, in a few years there will be many fewer flags, hats and “stars and sticks” T-shirts. Ryan seemed to take the point of view that he could not ask people to not bring these items. I pointed out that the vendors are as much part of the festival as the music, and that he could control who is selected and what they sell. I guess I will have to wait until next year to see if my comments have any effect.
As I get older, it becomes easier to understand why good people do nothing in the face of evil. Who wants to make waves? Would making a huge fuss and being confrontational actually change anything or just harden the resolve of the flag-wavers? I don’t have any good idea of the best way to change hearts (as opposed to disrupting the festival). These thoughts occupied me throughout the festival. I guess it was a kind of culture shock as I realized I was no longer in my academic bubble in which we (are supposed to) bend over backwards to be inclusive.
The music started at 2:00 with the national anthem … of Canada. There was in fact, quite a large Canadian contingent (none of whom were flying Confederate flags as far as I saw). The US anthem was next.
And then the music began! Most days it went continuously from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ryan kept encouraging people to spend some time jamming or go to workshops, but with continuous bands it was hard to find a break to do something besides listen.
My connection to this music started with French Canadian fiddling, and there was some truly terrific fiddle playing. A typical band consisted of a fiddle, bass (viol), banjo, guitar and mandolin. Most groups did a few original numbers, often with vocals, a couple of more traditional or at least well-known numbers, and some gospel. The songs alternated between vocal and virtuoso instrumentals, the latter done at dizzying speeds.
There were 3 groups we particularly liked. The “Moron Brothers” are two middle-aged brothers who are part band, part stand-up comedians. They delivered their jokes with flawless timing in thick country accents that play on being “hicks”. It was sharp social commentary (although not overtly political) often delivered by a sharp left hook at the end of a rambling story. They were also very good musicians, but it was the stand-up that brought the audience to our feet.
Rhonda Vincent, billed as the “Queen of Bluegrass” delivered two sets worthy of her title. Even novices like us could tell that her band was head and shoulders above the very talented folks we heard the rest of the weekend. During her set, she was approached by a girl of about 10 who asked if it would be OK for her to clog on-stage during one of the songs. Vincent graciously said yes, and we were treated to a very professional performance by the young lady, as well.
The final group which I really appreciated was a quartet of teenagers who had been invited from N. Carolina. They did a very creditable performance. I particularly enjoyed a song called “Rust” by the youngest member (14) who wrote about the struggle to leave a decaying mining town.
Incidentally, many of the bands had a family at the core, and so several bands had at least one teenage member and often someone quite elderly as well. I was also impressed by a young family who were jamming near our RV. each kid had a different instrument and I thought they were already professional quality, although the youngest child was only about 8.
We had planned to stay away from festival food – mostly fried – but our splurge on a hot apple dumpling with cinnamon ice cream did us in. We ended up having several of these. By the time we were ready to move on to main courses, it was Saturday evening and the vendors were selling out.
Bluegrass fans are a hardy bunch. We had drizzle, rain and hot sun, but most of the audience turned out – even those sitting on the lawn without a tent. Towards the end of the festival, Ryan invited those on the lawn to use vacant chairs in the tents, which seemed sensible. This might not work with a rowdier audience fighting over ownership of the chairs and spots, but as I mentioned, this was a friendly and well-ordered crowd.
Sunday morning they held a church service and then back to the music – although more churchy music on the whole. The service had 3 parts – a few gospel songs, a wedding and a healing service. Did I mention that several of the musicians, including Ryan, were also pastors? (If you are not from central PA, this concept may be less clear to you. It is not uncommon here for people to be ordained but hold non-pastoral jobs. For example, among my friends are a social worker, handman, math teacher and human rights activist, all of whom are ordained. Of these, only 2 have ever had an appointment at a church.)
The happy couple had met at a Bluegrass Festival, and were clearly regulars there. Making ones’ vows at a festival where you have made friends certainly makes more sense then making them while (say) sky-diving. For those of us who did not know them, it was still a happy end to the festival.
Ryan’s 1 year old daughter has severe health issues (which the doctors told him will “resolve themselves in time”.) He requested a healing service. This included testimonials from several people on how they had been healed by Jesus. The pastor then gave his own testimonial. Although he had visited a conventional doctor, he seemed to suggest that faith alone is sufficient. (If you know me, you know what I think about this.) In any case, the sermon ended with a laying on of hands for Ryan’s daughter, which included many in the audience reaching out with their hands. Although I suspect that Ryan’s child is too young to get any direct psychological support from this, Ryan and his wife, undoubtedly will benefit. I wish them the best, and hope that “in time” means soon.
The final concert was by the festival staff. Who knew that the local folks setting up tents, emptying the trash, etc. were all from local bands? Most of the audience stayed to enjoy their efforts.
Things ended mid-afternoon and by evening many of the campers had headed out. Fortunately, Jan and Ed were staying another evening, and so we had time to visit them again.