First trip to Evart

[gardclan]

Well the stars seem to have ligned up just right, and it looks like we'll be able to attend the ODPC Funfest this year. The daughter and I have been at this music thing for about three years now, and I think the wife has finally caught the bug because this whole trip was more or less her idea.

Anyway, we've been digging around on the ODPC FAQ and so forth (and trying to plan accordingly). That said, is there any advice you veterans can give a bunch of newbies?

[frets alot]

You will love Evart! There's alot of information out on the website, that you've probably already looked at (if not, you should):
http://dulcimers.com/index.html
http://dulcimers.com/festival.html
http://www.dulcimers.com/faqs.html

Will you be camping? If not, there are limited places to stay. I'm a camper and can answer most of your questions in that regard (as can others who camp). There's only one real good motel in town, so that's a negative (hard to get into). So maybe others have advice there.

The best thing to do is watch the website for the programs to come out, so you can look through the 200+ workshops and decide what you'll be attending. There's no limit on attendees at each of the workshops...you just show up and everyone finds a place to set up. There are alot of other activities too, such as jamming, dancing, vendors, etc., so there's alot to keep you busy. Show up early (prior to the first day of classes) if you can and take it all in. For $5, you can't beat it. The concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night are great. Plan to participate in the hammered dulcimer and/or mountain dulcimer group concerts...they are really fun to be a part of. The hammered dulcimer songs that they'll be playing are already out on the website. The mountain dulcimer songs are close to being posted on the website. You'll find the people extremely friendly and helpful. Just ask here or at the festival if you have questions or need help. Glad to hear you will be attending. I can't wait, myself!!!

[gardclan]

Thanks for the input. I've been watching the site closely, which is how this trip got planned in the first place. We'll actually be on our way back from PA and will arrive around Tuesday afternoon (I think). We will be camping (we have a small motorhome, maybe 25ft long or so). From what I am reading on the site it sounds like we'll be able to get a spot, but probably won't have electricity. That's probably not an issue.

Are the vendors normally set up before the festival begins? Are loaner instruments available?

[frets alot]

If you call ahead (during your PA trip) to the Osceola Co. Fairground Office (phone number linked on the Evart site), you just need to tell them your size/type of RV and they can tell you what's available with water and electricity. But, you start paying when you call and "reserve" a site. So, lets say you call on July 12th and they can get you a site with electric and water and you want to "reserve" that site, you have to give them a credit card number and start paying from that date, through the end of the festival. So, that would be 10 nights at $17/night, for a total of $170. But, then that site is yours, even though you wouldn't arrive until the Tuesday before the festival starts. There's a good likelihood with a smaller MH that you could get a site with electricity and water, if you are willing to call ahead a week or more. Otherwise, if you just show up, you are right, you might have to dry camp in the overflow area. But, with a MH, maybe you are used to that. If you have a generator (built into your unit) that's pretty quiet, they said that would be ok, because they aren't loud. I think they discourage the free-standing outside-the-unit generators because they are really loud. There are usually a bunch of MH's in the overflow area, because they have generators and are self-sufficient. Also, most of the spots with E and W are too small for the larger class A MH's. Hope this makes sense.

[frets alot]

The vendor area opens when the festival starts on Thursday. I don't think there are loaner instruments, but you are welcome to attend the workshops w/o an instrument. People are pretty friendly and you can probably talk to the other people in class and maybe someone will let you sit with them and maybe try their instrument. Last year, my sister and I went to the uke workshop and we didn't have ukes. The couple sitting behind us lent us their ukes and said, "have fun". They had attended that workshop before and just enjoyed sitting in on it. They thought it would be beneficial if we used their ukes. So, we did. It was really fun. A uke is one instrument I don't play....yet. That's just how people are. So, I don't think there are formal loaner instruments, but that's not to say you won't get to play something. Also, you still get alot out of the workshops, even if you don't have an instrument there. You'll get to listen to the instruction and take home any handouts. My husband didn't take his hammered dulcimer to the Midland, MI festival in August (which is very similar), but still attended workshops and learned alot.

[Kendra Ward]

You will have a blast!!!

Frets Alot has all the places listed to check out the information about the festival.

You may be able to rent or borrow a dulcimer while you are there. I do know some vendors like Chris Foss may have one or two.

There is so much going on....it is amazing! When you look at the schedule, take the classes you are interested in and not just stick with the beginner, int., adv., etc. You will get handouts and even if you may not be able to keep up, you will have the information in your head or recorder. It's usually good to have a recorder. Workshops fly by fast and furious.....

I am the editor of the ODPC newsletter (Original Dulcimer Players Club) and I can tell you lot's of exciting things that are happening this year. First of all, it will be the 50th anniversary of the ODPC and the 40th Festival! It is the oldest dulcimer festival in the country!

If you can at all participate in the hammered dulcimer preshow on Fri. night you should try....even if you have to borrow a dulcimer. We are trying to break the record and get at least 300 hammered dulcimer players to play in the show! You can find the tune list on line. It is awesome! There is also talk about each participant getting a coupon for an ice cream cone from McDonald's (within walking distance) and/or a special commemorative button that will for sure be a keepsake! I know I will be there!!

This year there are going to be 5 national hammered dulcimer winners there! These people are not paid and in fact everyone from the performers, vendors, to teachers all have to pay their entrance fee just like everyone else. There is no other festival like it!

You can check out their facebook page and you can subscribe to the ODPC newsletter if you want to. The newsletter comes out 4 times a year and you can have it mailed or get it electronically. (it is in color if you have it emailed, plus it saves the ODPC the cost of printing and a stamp) All you have to do is join the ODPC for $5 a year. There are reports, tunes, information on the festival, and interesting stories, plus lot's more. It is more than worth it!

I am just now finishing up my final drawing for the T-shirt contest. There is always a contest and the winner gets 2 free T-shirts plus acknowledged as the artist on stage on the Sat. night concert. I hope I win!!!!

You will probably be able to get electricity, because the camping situation has really been upgraded. There are nice new bathroom/shower facilities now too if you prefer to use those.

Anyway, I think you will have a great time!! I hope to see you there!!

Kendra

[Heidi]

I've attended workshops without an instrument. I take notes, study the handouts, that sort of thing, and I recommend it. It gets a bit much, setting up and knocking down your dulcimer so many times...

The weather is unpredictable and I've sweltered or froze. So, do what you can to plan for that.

Use some sort of cart/wagon to haul your stuff, but try not to over pack. It's a pain to haul it around and the workshops can get very crowded.

Scissor stands are smaller to carry and fast to setup. So if you have one, bring it.

If the teacher permits it, you might want to record the workshop. Personally, I prefer taking notes. I bring a pencil and a few sheets of note paper and blank staff paper.

Attend the evening concerts. Bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses. The sun sets to the left and in front of the audience, and it takes a really long time to set in July...

Be friendly. Talk to people. IMO it is the people that make festivals special.

Bring a few spring style clothes pins. They are life savers to hold on to music in a breeze. (Don't forget to bring some way to hold at least one sheet of music.)

A tarp to cover the dulcimer in case of rain. I use to carry two trash bags for this purpose. I now carry a space blank, as it is multifunctional.

Check out the vendors buildings. Bring your checkbook.

Mostly, be sure to have a good time. Enjoy the experience. Leave time to "just take it in".

[DustyD500]

Who are the national champions that are to be in attendance?

[Kendra Ward]

DustyD500, it is going to be very exciting to have actually 6 National Hammered Dulcimer Champions at Evart this year!! I thought there were 5, but 6 is even better!!

Here is the list: David Mahler, Doug Berch, Lisa Ferguson, Mark Alan Wade, Stephen Humphries, and Ted Yoder. It will be awesome because each one of these greats have a wonderful and unique style of their own.

Other teachers and performers include; Bill Robinson, Guy George, Jay Round, the Kaiser Family, Bob & me, Pam Bowman, Rick Thum, DeeDee Tibbits, Steve & Ruth Smith, the Lindsey Family, Rick Fogel, and so many more.........it's gonna be a special year!

I also agree with everything that Heidi said, especially about the weather.....I have been there when it was 109 degrees, when tornado watches have been issued, when thunder storms have pounded the fairgrounds, and when we had to run our heater because it was in the 30's! Also be sure to bring your weights because the mosquitos will carry you away to eat you in the luxury of their own homes!!!! LOL Make sure you do bring mosquito repellant, though.

Also there is a nice grocery store within walking distance that will have about anything you may need...anything like a wal-mart is probably 45-60 minutes away. If you need Internet, there is a library in town and I think there is usually Internet in the main office building on the fairgrounds. You might ask someone at the fairground to be sure.

There are food vendors on the grounds as well. I think the FFA kids have a kitchen, there are drinks and popcorn and cotton candy. One place has gyros and salads and the (Grange/ Masons/or Eastern Star, I can't remember) has breakfast and other food throughout the days. You will never go hungry!! LOL

If I think of something else, I will write again. It's a great festival!!

[JohnH]

Hmmm! Memories from the one time I attended Evart include lying in a very small tent long after midnight being able to read the programme by the light of a fantastic electrical storm that seemed to last for ever, and then the following day when the sun came out being eaten alive by mossie's who seemed to have been totally refreshed by the overnight rain. I rapidly ditched the short pants for something I could tuck in me socks , lol ! Otherwise I had a ball there, rate it as one of the highs in my musical experiences, to sit on/around that stage with hundreds? of other HD players bashing out 'Redwing', something to remember 1 Thanks Evart !
JohnH

[frets alot]

I think with Evart there's one thing we can count on, year after year....you just don't know what the weather will bring. As Kendra stated, we've had temperatures in the 30's and temperatures over 100 (not in the same year, of course). Usually, though, despite all of our fond memories of the extreme weather, the days are warm and very enjoyable. The mosquitoes aren't a big problem....we don't want to scare any of you away. The nights are usually comfortable. But, if you are planning to attend, just be aware that anything can happen in Michigan in the summer. The people who have posted here have covered pretty much all the bases about Evart. If you attend and are bored, you aren't doing it right. There's plenty to do and see. No where else in the country will you get the instruction and entertainment for 3 straight days for just $5. It's unheard of......except at Evart!