j + c {11.19.11}: frolona fest

Part 2

{part 1 here}

. . . . . . . .

and as dusk fell, the lights became bright, instruments tuned, 
campers parked, tents erected, firewood gathered...
friends, family, strangers, hometown folks...all came out for 
Frolona Fest.

. . . . . . . .

this gathering is a chance for musicians and old time/bluegrass/acoustic music lovers from all over west GA, the Atlanta area, and east Alabama too, 
to jam for one night under that big starry sky, with a campfire, camping and 
good people.

josh, christina and the boys who work on the farm, spent months cleaning out an old chicken house. the chicken house hasn't been used for it's original intention since the 1940's. 
it's since been a storage building for tractors, farm equipment, 
antiques, scraps, tons of old wine & moonshine bottles. 

most recently it's being used to house the refrigeration units and is the 

operational hub for josh's csa/vegetable/beef business. 

 

the blood sweat and tears that went into this transformation are undeniable and infinitely appreciated. 
the end result is truly unbelievable.
seriously. we had no idea this raw structure, 
nearly 100 years old, 
would shine with such amazing "bones", character and warmth.
it truly is a jewel of an entertaining and gathering spot.

the friday before the festival 
{the same day we were getting everything together for the wedding}, 
we strung lights throughout the chicken house, created seating areas out of 
old antique chairs, wooden spools and barrels, 
draped burlap over coolers and fancied up the little dance floor with a painted "laurel-ism".

friends, strangers, family, hometown folks and local musicians began arriving around 4pm
setting up camp.
two of christina's friends rode their bikes from downtown atlanta
my best high school friends came, along with our families, old and young. 
"the hotheads", an awesome group from Montgomery, 
kicked off the evening and had a crowd inside the chicken house 
captured and captivated. 

 

there were instruments galore; mandolins and banjos, 
guitars, washboards and homemade drums.
people of all ages playing, listening, tapping their toes, singing along.
toasts and well wishes were overflowing for j + c 

there was an "old time" pickin group inside

and a more rowdy group outside

around the bonfire.

several guitars

a rockin bongo

me on my ole tambourine

it was a fantastic sing-a-long, {with no pictures to show for it.}

as dusk turned to night, the tunes never wavered

and the party poured into morning.

but not long after dark, the crowd {and especially josh + christina} were stunned at the sound

of fireworks

everyone rushed near the bonfire to see the sky lit up with a

surprise  

fireworks show.

this was drake's wedding gift to the bride and groom.

he planned this months ago and pulled off the surprise without a hitch

with a show that honestly rivaled our little hometown 4th of July show {no kidding}

he wins for the best gift. it was darn cool.

i don't know or remember what time i went to bed. 

but it was late-thrity and undoubtedly sunday.

i woke that morning to a hum of voices downstairs in the kitchen.

which is completely normal in the true heart of our home.

but i walked down the stairs expecting to see the folks that I knew were filling every bed or likely made a pallet on the floor somewhere

but there were at least 30 people hanging out in our kitchen

mom was in her entertaining and maternal happy place

i watched

christina sauteing veggies

drake whisking eggs

pallie by the fire

andrew rubbing knots out of backs 

someone who's name i couldn't remember doing dishes

alex getting butter and preserves from the fridge, setting the table

my new awesome friend, Bradford, at the coffee pot, greeting everybody "good morning"

as they walked in the back door to the den and in the kitchen, 

soaking wet.

i stopped in my tracks half-way down the stairs

i literally chuckled and said out loud

"where am i?!"

it was awesome.

evidently a rain storm came and bid the campers an early morning

they found shelter in the house

where janie insisted on feeding 

everyone

breakfast. biscuits & eggs, the whole bit.

i became very present in that moment and let myself stand there, 

sure not to catch anyone's eye just yet, so i could 

take. it. all. in.

we could have NEVER planned a more appropriate ending

to a weekend that was filled

with exactly what that morning was: 

community, strangers turned friends + family

connection, smiles, laughs, loud.

sharing, lost inhibitions

and just plain

love.

{thanks again to pallie, for the pics!}