To the editor:
Sometimes you have an idea and at first it seems impossible. Bringing hundreds of people to Aroostook County to hear bluegrass music, maybe even thousands. But you would need a facility, a place to get out of the weather. How would that come about? A dream begins to take shape. It is always harder than you ever imagined. You could give up. Especially after the first few years with a small turnout and a lot of expense. But when you have a dream, you hold onto it if you are people connected to County Bluegrass.
They did hold onto the dream and they were rewarded this past Labor Day Weekend.
Having done a few events myself I know what it is to get something going. I know what it’s like to have everyone say “this will never work,” “you can’t get people to come up here,” “what if it rains?,” and it goes on and on. But when you have a dream it seems that this goes in one ear and out the other. It takes patience, courage, and a little out of the box thinking to see the dream become realized. Those people who were involved with County Bluegrass this weekend had the “right stuff.”
When my wife and I approached Farm Park in Fort Fairfield on Friday night as far as the eye could see were travel trailers, beautiful homes on wheels, spread over some of the most beautiful countryside in America. Hundreds of people too, most from away were gathered to hear some great music. The facility was amazing. Seating for more than a thousand under a well-built structure that didn’t have a bad seat.
We heard some of the finest banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar you could imagine and the singing was great too. It was so nice, people were so friendly, even a golf cart ride from parking to the venue. It’s so nice to see a plan come together.
Congratulations to everyone who made this event possible. Not just this past Labor Day Weekend, but all the lean years, the endless hours and the “never give up attitude.” The town of Fort Fairfield has a great venue and new opportunity to bring the World to northern Maine.
There is no better place in the summer and to have a showcase like the County Bluegrass Festival, it just doesn’t get any better than that. Job well done, and please keep dreaming.
Bill Flagg
Stockholm
