Now that I’m back to a more-or-less normal state-of-mind, it’s time to post about the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. This year’s fest was the 17th edition of this annual music, dance, camping and r&r happening, and it was a nice break from the usual workday.

Thursday
We arrived at Long Hill Farm in early evening, having spent the afternoon with our friend Eri in Red Hook. The drive from Red Hook to Hillsdale is a picturesque one, and the weather was great. We met up with Shelley, Mike and their kids at our usual campsite, which is on the side of a hill but away from most of the other sites on the farm. Tent pitched, we headed to the main stage area to hear the Arrogant Worms (hilarious stuff) and Acoustic Hot Tuna (great musicians, monotonous jam band dreck for music).

Friday
Friday started early for me, as I was up at 6:50 to put down our blanket for the main stage (they open up the area to blankets at 7:00 am, and the crowd is something to see). After that, I had some breakfast and went for a nice bike ride around Columbia county. The weather was getting really hot and most uncomfortable, forcing our group to camp out under a sunshade. sprite learned the hard way that the sunshade does not prevent sunburn, which was not a fun way to start the first full day of the fest.

Musically, we caught some of the Emerging Artist Showcase. Unfortunately, most singer/songwriters blend in as one in these three-song newbie parades, so it was tough to pick a best-of. Also, we were still under the sunshade, about 1/4 mile from the stage, though the improved sound system made for mostly clear listening. We did make it over to our blanket for a special set by Bethany Yarrow, her partner Rufus, and Peter Yarrow (Bethany’s dad and member of Peter, Paul & Mary). Their set was fun, and it was a treat to see Peter walk through the crowd and onto the stage during the first song.

After dinner back at camp (BBQ gardenburgers – yum!), we were cleaning up when the skies opened up with rain and wind. Each of the adults held down a corner of the sun shelter (not guy lined to the ground) which, remarkably, kept us dry throughout the deluge. Of course, the rain soaked our blanket, so we used a crappy old tarp for our evening seating. Jimmy LaFave’s set was cut short by the rain, and Jesse Colin Young (of the Youngbloods) was moved to Saturday morning, but the rest of the evening’s performers were great: Modern Man performed some tongue-in-cheek songs to lighten the mood, Brave Combo wowed the crowd with high-energy Texas polka, swing and rhumba, and the song swap featured some fun performances from Vance Gilbert, Chris Smither, Tracy Grammer and Susan Werner. Due to the sun exposure during the day, we didn’t last to the end of the swap, but it was a good ending to a long day.

Saturday
Again, I was up early to place the tarp (blanket was still drying off), but like a fool I didn’t anchor it to the turf. The result was a much smaller seating area than I had claimed (the strong breeze shifted the tarp downhill about 10 feet) – no biggie, but annoying for the S&M’s kids who like to dance in the central walkway). But it was less humid and much more comfortable, which was a big plus.

sprite and I decided to take it easy after yesterday’s sun fest, so we hopped on our bikes and rode to Ore Pit Pond in Copake Falls to do some swimming and relaxing. It was worth the ride, and the water was nice and cool. Given that the day wasn’t as hot as Friday, the pond wasn’t crowded and the grass had plenty of space to lay out in the sun and shade. We also had lunch at the Depot Deli, which makes some of the best sandwiches we’ve ever had. While we missed some acts we’d wanted to see (like Paul & Storm and Redbird), we made it back in time to hear the evening’s “heavy-hitter” lineup: Tracy Grammer, Crooked Still, Dar Williams, Eddie From Ohio (billed as “From Ohio & Friends” due to Eddie Harkness’ absence), and Railroad Earth. Great music, great time.

Sunday
I didn’t get up early to place our blanket on Sunday, as I felt that sleeping in was a must. Sunday was hot again, which was a bummer, but it was a good day to hear music. The day’s performers included Fruit (a unique Aussie folk trio), Vance Gilbert (fellow Camel and always a treat), and The Kennedys. We left before the evening headliner (Ani DiFranco) because we were so spent and needed the rest.

Final Thoughts
One thing I haven’t yet mentioned is that FRFF may not happen at Long Hill Farm in 2006. The Brennans have run Long Hill Farm as a hay and horse farm for many years, and have put the land on the market for $4 million. They hope to avoid selling to a developer, but can’t promise that the buyer will be open to hosting FRFF in the future. As of now, FRFF has no commitment to the Brennans for 2006, given the on-the-market status of the property. This is a drag, as Long Hill Farm is a superlative venue for live music and camping.

The management of FRFF insists that the show will go on, and that “Falcon Ridge isn’t a place, but a state of mind.” And this is true, as the festival started at Catamount Ski Area before moving to Long Hill Farm. But it’ll be tough to go back to FRFF next year and not see the same scenery or layout – there’s comfort in familiarity, and we’ve been going to the fest for the past 8 years, camping at the same site, etc.

The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival has a smaller venue about 10 miles from Long Hill Farm that features many of the same characteristics: hillside seating, some flat space, on-site camping, etc. But there are two potential problems: the smaller size and the bad blood between the FRFF and GFB organizers.

Apparently other people have approached FRFF’s management with offers for locations. But I’m not holding out too much hope that FRFF will return in 2006 as its full, 4-day affair. I can see it being reduced to a 2-day concert without on-site camping, if only for a year or two. I can also see it taking a year off if things get completely akilter.

But it will come back, I’m sure. And I’ll be there, tent and bike at the ready.