Old Songs Festival: Volunteering again...

We are rarely far between volunteer assignments and this summer is no exception... next stop Altamont NY and the Old Songs Festival, June 26-28th, 2015.  Now, avid readers you may recall we volunteered in 2014 for this festival and had a grand time.  You can refresh your memory by reading that post.

Andrew & Noah Band
Ken Whiteley & the Beulah Band
Sunday AM small session called Sing & Swing

This year we worked on the Grounds Crew and were available for set-up, tear-down, and trash patrol (Saturday early evening).  Set-up is similar for most events... arrive 1-10 days early and start pitching tents, moving chairs and tables, posting signs, cleaning the facilities, and other odd tasks.  Old Songs is no different.  We arrived early Thursday morning before the festival and started moving tables and chairs.  From there the tasks varied by the building that needed attention.

Setup on Thursday

Thursday was a bit damp and cool but not a rain out. You can tell a gully washer because your shoes are sopping after a few minutes... but more on that later.  One benefit of this festival is our friends Phil and Brenda are regulars at the festival so we can spend time with them.  

Marg - Bill - Phil

Phil is a food vendor operating Phil's Grill.  Brenda is his lovely bride who happens to be a travelling physician that manages to be free for many of Phil's events.

Friday night at the concert

Friday arrived as a beautiful sunny day.  Officially we were not working Friday but that didn't stop us from assisting with odd jobs.  However, I took time to a stroll into town for needed supplies.

Friday night concert
Bright and DRY

The afternoon was filled with workshops (fiddle & singing) followed by a concert and contra dance.  This is the first of several late evenings, the dance bands and callers were excellent so we just had to dance until 1:00 AM.  Then it was time to walk the cats, roughly a half-hour, and finally to bed around 2 AM.

Late Saturday afternoon

Saturday was not the same, it started sunny but the predicted rain arrived on schedule with the drizzle starting at 2 PM.  By the time we went on grounds duty at 4 PM the wind was in full assault.  Officially we were to collect garbage and tidy the bathhouses.  (Check!)  And unofficially we rescued rain flys and tents that were being upended by the wind.  (Check!)

Sunday morning
It poured most of Saturday... late afternoon through Sunday noon

Because of the rain, the concert moved indoors to the dance hall which was not a problem because the dances were suspended during the evening concert anyway.  It was a good concert and intimate as everyone crowded onto the dance floor.

Saturday night rain
Festival goer & Bing Futch

After the concert, the blue tarps came off the dance floor and once again we danced until way after 1:00 AM.  Yes the girls (cats) wanted to walk so out we went with them on leash to trample down the hill and through the mud.  Cats normally don't like getting wet but it didn't stop them this night... we walked about 1/2 mile through knee high (human knee high) grass and often splashed through puddles and newly born streams.  

Saturday night indoor concert over
Dancing next

Sunday morning was wet along with most of my shoes!  Not a problem, wool socks help keep the feet warm.  After breakfast, I headed to the workshop tents to catch a few sessions before meeting the clean-up crew.  

A damp Sunday morning
Singing and Swinging in the Rain

My favorite was the Sing and Swing hosted by the Andrew & Noah Band and the Ken Whiteley & the Beulah Band.  What a wonderful way to start the day.

Packing the trailer for next year
My job on Sunday night

Sunday afternoon/evening it was time to start the clean-up process.  My job started early afternoon working with Bob to organize and inventory the storage trailer.  This can be quite a task but Bob had a plan after tackling the trailer for 5 years.  We arrived to a mostly empty trailer and ended with a trailer with little room to spare.  Amazing, with a plan and organization how much fits.

Bob #2 and Bill during clean-up
This reversed setup except set-up was warmer!