Grange Fairgrounds (July 1)
We pulled into the Grange Fairgrounds in the early afternoon, and were soon met by Ryan Frankhauser, the organizer of the Bluegrass Festival. Although camping was not supposed to start until the 2nd, and the festival itself not until the afternoon of the 5th, there were already quite a few campers set up. We selected a shady site close to the main gate – no sewer, but close to the showers and bathroom.
One of the interesting features of the Grange Fairground are the benches. Each has been donated – some by businesses but most as memorials to special occasions or special people. This last idea makes great sense to me. 
How comforting to sit on a bench in a location where one made happy memories with someone, and think of that person. Since many local families have been attending the fair for generations, and family members come from all over the world to attend the fair, this is a much more meaningful memorial than a gravesite visit. I selected one of these benches for the blog because it shows the kind of devotion that local families have to the Grange Fair. I selected the other because it shows how much the fair is part of local life and culture.
The Grange Fair itself lasts for 10 days at the end of August. At that time, the fairgrounds become a village with thousands of permanent residents (1500 tents and 1500 RVs) and many services. This is the hairdressing salon, waiting for August.
July 2 was the official start of camping for the Bluegrass Festival and the place began to fill up. However, we arranged to go to Harrisburg with friends Don and Mindy to visit Don’s daughter Suzanne.
Although only a few campers arrived on the 1st, the music was already beginning. Neighbor Andy demonstrated some of his guitar method, and explained how he had decided to learn to play at age 58. He has since acquired a fair number of instruments (and good technique.) He spent a fair amount of time trying to convince me that I should take up guitar too.
When we got back to the campsite after our visit with Suzanne, we found that campers were already organizing jam sessions. We went to a session with many musicians organized by our neighbor on the other side, Tom. People seem to have got to know one another through many years of meeting at bluegrass events. The talent was pretty amazing – these were just the audience, not the performers.
We were not sure of the etiquette, so we brought chairs and cookies. The former were necessities, the latter apparently not usually done (although a lot of cookies got eaten).
We had been getting calls from Chuck’s sister Karen. She just bought an RV in California, and was in the process of driving it home to Connecticut. On the 3rd, she was toodling along I80, which passes right by State College. We arranged to meet her in the Lamar truck stop, to see the new RV. We will be camping with her and other family members at the end of August. (No Grange Fair for us – but that is OK as there is absolutely no way to get a campsite at the fair.)
When we got back to the campsite, the jams were in full swing. We were planning to hang around and listen to music, but we started talking with our newest neighbors, Jan and Ed. This lovely couple, originally from Long Island but now living in Oneonta, were completely charming and we spent the evening exchanging anecdotes and RV tips.
For July 4, we had a busy day. Friends Susie and Phil invited us for a bike ride on the local Rails to Trails trail. We have lived in State College for 17 years and did not even know that this beautiful 16 mile trail existed! We will certainly want to bike this route many times in the future. (And maybe take some photos with our friends, too!)
For dinner, we were invited to a BBQ by our friends Amy and Bob. They always invite an interesting mix of people, so the discussion is lively. And, once again, I forgot to take any photos!
We always go to the fireworks, and I like to get as close as possible. If my stomach does not vibrate at each blast, we are not close enough. The town always has a festival, and this time this local hot air balloon, which frequently sails over our house, was there to give tethered rides. This year’s display was excellent. As well, there was a spectacular sunset
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After the fireworks, we returned to the campsite, anticipating the Bluegrass Festival to begin the next day.