What is it?2nd Annual Old Time Music Weekend
What are the dates?
Evening of Friday August 8th through afternoon Sunday August 10th
Where is it?
Brewster River Campground between Jeffersonville and Smuggler’s Notch Resort.
Where is there more information?
What’s to know about Brewster River Campground? Bill McKone is the owner of the campground, and a supporter of/volunteer at our Events for Tom concerts. He runs the camp in the summer, goes to Ireland fairly often to research a book he’s writing, and works as a translator. Bill says he does this because he’s interested in exposure for the campground and making sure a good time is had by everyone. He’s enthusiastic and supportive to work with….. make sure you say howdy to him at some point.
The web site has a lot of information about the campground and surrounding area, so check it out. If you’re thinking of bringing an RV or trailer of some kind, be sure to read the section about size limitations. There are some limited non-tent options explained (a tee pee, an apartment, lean-tos, etc,). The driveway into the campground is steep and sometimes gets blown out during big rainstorms (happened twice last summer). Be sure to drive slowly and carefully coming down the driveway.
You can team up on the campsites and save some money on the per site rate. Talk to Bill about this when you make your reservation.
There are various references on the web site to quiet times, keeping the music volume down, etc. These are general guidelines for dates other than this old time weekend. Everyone at the campground that weekend is aware there will be non-amplified music at all hours. There will be an area set aside as a quiet area, primarily for Bill’s regulars. Talk to him about needing that if you’re interested. Otherwise expect to hear tunes at any hour of the day or night!
If you can bring any water containers (10 gallons or so) to add to the ones at the campground, that can help buffer the demand on the well that supplies only 5 gallons a minute. You should consider showering with a friend, etc. to make sure that we have an adequate flow of potable water.
Does it cost anything?
Just for a camping spot: Standard rate of $20 a night for a ‘proper’ site with two adults, $5 a night for each extra adult on site, kids free. Overflow sites (no picnic table or fireplace) at $5 a night per head for adults, kids free. Contribution suggested for day visitors who don’t stay overnight is $5.
Campfire wood will be out in a couple of places. Contributions from day visitors pays for the wood.
Bill will have bottled water for sale, money going to pay for a helper who can run around to show people where to park, camp, etc.
Last year I ran out of time trying to organize a BBQ for Saturday night, but its back on as a possibility for this year.
There will be an ice chest at the pavilion stocked with crushed ice from the general store, honor system on paying for it. Envelopes can be dropped through the slot by the office window.
How do you go about reserving a camp site? Visit the web site or call 802-644-2126. You might get the answering machine, but Bill is great about responding to calls…… just leave a message and he’ll get it.
Do you really need to reserve a camp site in advance? It would be great for everyone if you could reserve in advance. There are only 20 official camp sites, and last year they were filled up by the weekend of the camp out. Several campers can gang up on these large sites of course, but we don’t want anyone to get shut out if they show up expecting to find a spot and having everything filled up.
What should you leave at home/not bring to the campground? Pets, illegal substances, firearms. Bring your respect for the environment and other campers, and keep safety in mind with fires, swimming and hiking.
Will there be non-musicians, singers and dancers at the campground during the weekend? There are some regulars who will be at the campground (they’ve been coming the same weekend for several years), but they know there will be lots of music going on, and will have an area set aside for them.
The weekend is in the height of the camping season, and Bill didn’t want to exclude any of his regular campers. He is posting the event on the web site and is advising anyone coming that weekend that there will be late hours music making.
Is there cell phone service available at the camp ground? Cell phone coverage is spotty. Folks with Singular seem to get a good signal at the campground, others (including Verizon) have to get up on the road or even back down to Jeffersonville for service.
Is WiFi available? No WiFi at campground, but a terminal with free access is available at the Sunrise Cafe just down Route 108, about 1.5 miles (on the right coming up from Jeffersonville, across from the old Highlander motel). Good organic food and advice on climbing in Smuggler’s Notch.
Are there non-camp ground accommodations nearby? Check the local Chamber of Commerce web site (www.smugnotch.com).
Are there restaurants, grocery stores, laundries, gas stations, etc. available nearby? All of that and more, either a couple of miles away in Jeffersonville. If you want to drive through Smuggler’s Notch, you go to Stowe….. its about 15 miles up and over Mt. Mansfield, and lot less convenient than Jeffersonville.
How do you get there? Get on Vermont Route 108 either at Stowe or Jeffersonville. Coming from Jeffersonville, it is 3 miles up the hill from the village, sharp left turn. From Stowe, come through Smuggler’s Notch, start downhill, pass resort on the right and it is two miles on the right, easy right turn. There is a green street sign ‘Campground Drive’ and brown sign ‘Brewster River Campground.’ The entrance is just opposite Burnor Road.
When should you be there? Its up to you when you arrive or leave, but the ‘Old Time Weekend’ starts on the evening of Friday August 8th and ends in the afternoon on Sunday August 10th. The late night music making (after 10pm) is on Friday and Saturday nights only, but you can come as early or stay as late as you want to reserve a campsite.
How long can you play? Are there any curfews? No curfews. Play as early and late as you’d like. Bill is warning the neighbors and inviting them to join us, so he don't anticipate any problems there, but he anticipates we may have to neck down the after-midnight playing to the remoter venues.
Does it cost anything? Other than the camping fee, there’s no cost.
Can folks come to play who are not camping? Folks are welcome to do come and play during the day, but preferably at the invitation of someone who has a camp site reserved. If it gets too crowded, the folks who don’t have a campsite or invitation would need to be the first to go.
Parking wasn’t a problem last year…….. shouldn’t be any trouble this year either. Try to car pool if you can. Make sure you park in a spot where you won’t get towed, like on the road above the campground.
What is there to do other than play music?
We’re going to show Nikolai Fox’s video ‘Music For the Sky’ once or twice during the weekend, and several of the players in the film have said they’re likely coming, including John Specker, Bob Naess, Jim Burns, George Ainley, Jon Bekoff and Michael Donahue. We’ll either have copies of the DVDs to sell, or order forms you can mail in.
There’s a place just down the road toward Jeffersonville called the Well, where they have yoga classes. There are some decent swimming holes. Bill can designate a ‘clothing optional’ area of the river downstream. Let him know if you’re interested in that. There’s great hiking in the area, guided canoe trips, fishing outfitters, and bicycles to rent in the village. At the campground, Bill offers panning for gold and other opportunities to study nature and enjoy the outdoors. There is fishing at the campground and beyond….. fishing licenses for varying periods can be purchased in Jeffersonville.
The weekend is a couple of days prior to the height of the Perseides meteor shower (8/12/08) and the dark of the moon. The campground is a great place to watch the meteors with little to no ambient light or pollution….. one of the highlights for me last summer way laying on my back, listing to tunes late at night, by the big bonfire, watching for falling stars.
Who can you contact for more information and how can you reach them during the weekend? What are some contact names and numbers?
Mark Sustic 802-849-6968 (home) 802-233-5293 (cell)
Bill McKone (802) 644-2126 (campground)
Why is this event happening?
After years of not being able to take in Mt. Airy, Galax, Clifftop, etc. because of the distance, busy schedules, family obligations, timing, etc. several of us were talking about trying to do some kind of weekend dedicated to southern old time music closer to home. There’s a lot of old time music played and enjoyed in northern New England, but not a lot of chances for those who play it to do it together, outdoors, in a nice setting, without the complications of it being an organized festival, camp, concert, dance, etc. We thought it was time for a music party, something we could invite our music friends to, and Bill was to let us have it at Brewster River. There’s been some pressure to expand the genre to other types of music and to make it more of a presentation for public consumption, but we’ve resisted. We’re hoping the low-key, simple format something enough folks will be interested to make it worthy of everyone’s time and effort.
Are musicians, singers and dancers who play other than old time southern music welcome? Why just southern old time music? Anyone and everyone is welcome, but we’re hoping to stick to old time southern fiddle tunes and string band music. If your specialty is Celtic or Eastern European or Quebecoise or Yankee or Bluegrass or Singer/Songwriter or Blues or whatever, we’d love to have you come, but try to stick with the old time southern program…… its good for you and tons of fun! Maybe the format works and someone can do other weekends for other types of music, but not us, not this weekend.
Can less experienced players come? We hope everyone who comes will bring their instruments with them. Some of the music will be red hot and fast, played by some of the best players in the region with lots of experience at these types of gatherings. But there should be plenty of opportunities for less experienced players to get their tunes out there.
Who’s sponsoring it? No one other than me (Mark Sustic, as part of Events for Tom) and the campground. Its not a concert, not a festival, not a dance, not a benefit….. think of it as a music party for old and new friends who enjoy a particular style of music.
Who’s in charge?: If anything comes up that needs someone to be in charge of (let’s hope not!), find Bill McKone (owner of the campground) or Mark Sustic (default organizer).
Who’s said they are definitely coming? Who’s said they would probably be coming? Who’s said they wanted to come but can’t be there? I’ve lost track of this. If it matters a lot to anyone, let me know and I’ll see if I can come up with a list.
Can you invite others who might be interested? If you know of others who would enjoy this type of thing, by all means.
What if you need a ride? I might be able to match you up with someone else who is coming, if you can let me know where you’re traveling from.
Will there be a stage, a sound system, stage lighting? No. No. No.
Is there a place to store instruments and personal belongings? Nope. You’re on your own with storage, at your own risk.
What if the weather is bad? Don’t want to think about it, but there’s always the chance of rain. We’ll be there rain or shine though. There’s several lean-tos and a large covered picnic area we can use if its too wet to be outside. If you have extra tarps or canopies of any kind that you can bring with you just in case, feel free.
Will anyone be getting paid or making any money on this venture? Other than the camping fees paid to the campground, no one’s taking in any money.
Are there any refreshments/meals arrangements? You should bring or go get what you need for food and refreshments. We might make get something special organized on site (e.g. a BBQ on Saturday night), but best not plan on that. I’ll try to let you know if anything happens. Last year there was a big exodus for brunch at a couple of the local restaurants on Sunday morning.
Will it be okay if anyone takes photos or videos or records any of the sessions? Other than checking with the person(s) you’re recording, this is fine.
Is anything planned for before or after the weekend? Not that we know of.
Is this an annual event? So far, this being the 2nd year. We’re leaving the option open for a 3rd annual, just in case its too much fun to not do again.
What other things should you think about and be prepared for?
If you can do what you can to help everyone have a good time, it could be an investment in making it a possibility for future years. Thanks for considering being part of it!
Questions without answers……
What is old time music?
Why do all those tunes sound the same?
Who will be skinny dipping?
Is there a future for old time music?
