The Vandalia Gathering returned to its traditional format over the Memorial Day weekend. All of the events returned and so did the crowds and it could not have been any better as the weather was just perfect with blue skies, nice spring time temperatures, and lots of music to be heard.
The gathering was held over three days; Friday night through Sunday. We went to the evening concert on Friday night and was entertained by musicians skilled in flat pick guitar playing. Saturday John and his wife Robin got there early and walked around the capital complex visiting the various arts and crafts vendors and enjoying the beauty of the main building. Once the rest of the band arrived, we set up on a path near the entrance to the complex. This allowed lots of people to stop and listen to us play. We performed many of our favorite tunes; “Going Down to Cairo.” “Spotted Pony,” “Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine,” and “Sail Away Ladies” where each of us got to perform a small solo. We played for about 2 hours and then spent the rest of the day walking around listening to other bands and join in on various jams. We got to participate in some very special jams. One was a brief one song session with a young lady who could play the fiddle and did the song “Cluck Old Hen” with Edna and Larry.
While walking around we met a young man from the Congo who was in the United States studying to be a minister. He told us stories of his life and asked us questions about the music we play and our instruments. His name was Joel.
Just an excellent way to spend the day.