GETTYSBURG BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - A FAMILY TRADITION

An annual family "camping" weekend at the GETTYSBURG BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL in May has become a FAMILY TRADITION. The whole family camps outdoors, while my sisters and I stay at "CAMP HAMPTON INN". My brother-in-law, an avid hiker/camper, has shared his love and knowledge with his children and grandchildren. It's amazing to watch them all work as a team to cook meals over the fire, chop wood and tend to the campsite. I've never been there for set-up or tear-down, but I'm told it's seamless at this point.

Even 4-YEAR-OLD HAZEL helped by scrubbing the pots.

The campgrounds are always FILLED with R-V's and campers.

The FESTIVAL attracts plenty of BLUEGRASS fans who enjoy a relaxing few days and evenings of music and good times.

The following 2 VERY SHORT VIDEOS I took are a sample of the terrific music we listened to over the weekend.  This is BALSAM RANGE - 2014 IBMA ENTERTAINER and VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR! 

I bet you can't listen to them without tapping your feet.......


VIDEO 1 - BALSAM RANGE

VIDEO 2 - BALSAM RANGE


FOOD VENDORS are plentiful and playful.

The "kids" enjoy playing in the sand with other kids, so our seats (including kid-sized chairs) are always right next to it - thanks to my brother-in-law arriving early for set-up.

The kids all LOVE to get their faces painted, so I snuck away and got a "Bumble Bee Tattoo" on my arm to get them excited.  A plug for the "ARTIST", Angela Hill-Shinsky - "YOU and IMPROVED BODY ARTS".  If you're close to Gettysburg, you can hire her for an event.   

When I returned to the seats, they all wanted to get their "FACES PAINTED NOW"!!  I was amazed at their patience, with the youngest (4) choosing to be last as she watched the other two sit still for the airbrushing.

SADIE (7 in July)

DEREK (7) - BEFORE

DEREK - AFTER

HAZEL (4) - BEFORE 
(Smile Hazel.......)

HAZEL - AFTER

It's was dreadfully hot on Saturday and there is no cover, so I decided to take a drive mid-day in and around HISTORIC GETTYSBURG, which I will share with you in my NEXT BLOG POST.

After the brief rain during dinner it cooled off quite a bit and we walked back to the stage area to enjoy everyone's favorite Bluegrass Artist, RHONDA VINCENT. I hope you'll take a moment to listen to this brief video of her and her band mates and tap your feet some more.  They are amazing!


VIDEO 3 - RHONDA VINCENT


Some photos from Friday evening - my niece SHELBY with her daughter NORA (10) and also my niece LESLIE, husband BRADY and their daughter SADIE.

Another GREAT FAMILY VACATION!! There's nothing like FAMILY TRADITIONS........

JOAN