A magical nighttime visit to the camps. Photo by Nathan Glascock.
Under the
clearest blue skies and a warm wafting wind, Carolyn and I put our chairs out
in the Selman Pavilion to hear the Auburn Community Band on Sunday.
I look forward
to this event every year. There is something so magical about listening to the
music under the shelter of the pavilion on a late September afternoon.
This is not
just a random event, but part of the American History Fest. For those of you
wondering about this, it used to be called Civil War Days. I do find myself
still calling it that and lamenting the fact that there is no longer a
reenactment on Sunday. There was one every year, and during those times, it was
hard to even find a space to put a chair. A different battle was picked every year,
and the announcer went into play-by-play description! The band always played
along with the cannons. It was so interesting, and I always learned a lot about
our history. I actually don’t know when this stopped, but things change.
Now it is
called the American History Fest. I suppose that is okay as we combine Abe
Lincoln with Ben Franklin. One of the best times to visit is at night. It is
magical walking among the tents with lanterns. The sound of a fiddle can be
heard against the night crickets. This year I was not able to attend until
Sunday morning. By then, unfortunately, folks had already started taking down
their camps. As I perused the grounds, I had lovely chats with the reenactors
who were a bit disappointed in the crowds this year. I had quite a few
conversations about that and folks asking me to help spread the word. I know I
have done that in the past, so go ahead and mark your calendars now for the
last weekend in September. Yes, it is a busy time, but pop in any time…they are
there all weekend.
As I meandered
through the breaking of the camps, I did come across a family still enjoying
their mid-day noon lunch on tin plates and coffee over the open fire. These families
spent the entire weekend at the park sleeping in tents, cooking on open fires,
playing music into the night. We all exclaimed about the beautiful weekend.
As 1:00
approached, I met up with Carolyn who brought our chairs, and we settled in to
hear the music. I know the Auburn Community Band is good as they play every
year, but there was something absolutely wonderful about their performance this
year. Maybe it was the blue sky or the warm wind? Maybe because it was a
patriotic concert and it seems as if we, as a country, have strayed away from
our beauty or forgotten it.
There are
actually two directors for the band, Don Riley and Angela Bassett. Angela took
the baton first. The first notes were loud and powerful, and we settled back
into our chairs being carried away by our own Americana music. I knew most of
the songs, but a few were different, and were just as lovely.
I tapped my
foot, and clapped along with them, until they played “America the Beautiful.”
It was played so beautifully, and I couldn’t help but cry. I looked over at
Carolyn who was also dabbing at her eyes. I sang silently to myself, O,
beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, for purple mountain
majesties Above the fruited plain.
Halfway through
the concert, they switched places, and Don Riley took over. They played for an
hour, song after song to a very appreciative crowd of folks sitting all around.
The band members are volunteers who, with their love of music, meet once a
month to practice. They are our neighbors, friends, relatives, and
acquaintances. I am grateful for their work and for their talent!
By the time it
was over, the park was beginning to empty out of all the volunteers and
reenactors for the weekend. Take your kids and your families next year. I am
making a note in my calendar right now.
Until then,
let’s sing those songs, and live the words we sing. The second verse of
“America the Beautiful” goes like this, “O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose
stern, impassioned stress, A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the
wilderness.”
Thanks to the
Auburn Band for making the day spectacular. Your passion, your music, your
willingness to play for us will follow me into the winter months.
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