Can You Hear Me Now?

This past Saturday, my buddy Jason held the First Annual Mountainview Music Festival in his back yard. He lives in Carstairs, a small town about 45 minutes from Calgary. I knew his mom and other friends were working REALLY hard to get everything prepared, and Jason was very proud of how his yard looked… even a sandy “beach” area over to the side. They had no idea if 10 people or 100 would show up, but I would say it was a smashing success, with people driving in from Calgary, Red Deer, Didsbury and surrounding areas to spend the day. His yard was jam packed, the music was amazing, and everyone had a great time.

My friends Jay and Katrina picked me up around 1:30 p.m., and luckily they have a van so there was room for both my walker and my wheelchair. They had also come with their supplies still in the back from the Folk Festival a few weeks before, which was a good thing because those blankets, tarps and umbrellas would be needed! Katrina’s sister, Jay’s brother and a friend were also tagging along.

When we arrived at the house, the fabulous Dan Livingstone was on stage. Jason and Sheldon were playing with him (as they would be playing all day - with Terra Hazelton and of course the Polyjesters as well). It was my first time seeing the guys since I broke my wrist and stuff, so it was unfortunate for me that they were so busy we didn’t have time to hang out!

Anyway, as soon as I stepped out of the van Barry (PolyDad) came up behind me and gave me a huge hug. Then I started up the driveway with my walker, and Carol (PolyMom) saw me and ran over for hugs too. “I can’t believe you made it! What a trooper…” She grabbed my wheelchair and set it up front and center, and helped me walk through the sand to get to it. She got me a vodka cooler, Jay gave me one of their big umbrellas to protect me from the sun (it was getting very hot!) and with my walker at my side like a little table, I settled in to watch the show.

After Dan, Terra sang a (supurb as always) set, and then the Polyjesters did a (wheeee!!! as always) set. During all this, various people came by to say hello and look after me! Jay brought me food (they were selling burgers and hot dogs, and they ran out before the night was through!), and my friend Damien ran around getting me more coolers, a cold cloth to wipe my face and neck because I was dying in the heat, and a glass of ice water. The PJ’s were done by around 5:00 or so, and shortly after that my friend Kim arrived from Red Deer. She used my walker for her seat until her husband and daughter arrived, so that meant she had to hold my bottles and/or cups haha She and Sheldon both said I looked “really good - you look like you! I was expecting death warmed over…” or something like that lol Well, I may look fine, but I don’t feel it yet! Anyway, it started to cool off, which I was very happy about, and then the rain began, which no one was happy about. Jay’s tarps and umbrellas came in very handy!

The rain actually passed quickly, so it wasn’t long before Dan took to the stage again, and then Terra. By the time the PJ’s went on again, it was starting to get cold, windy and cloudy. Jay brought me a blanket for around my upper body, and Kim’s husband brought one for my lower body. I love people who are prepared for anything!

The Plaid Tongued Devils had arrived and were supposed to be headlining that night, but when the PJ’s finished at 9:00 the rain started again. Equipment and people hid under tarps and umbrellas, hoping it would soon pass. Kim took that as her cue to leave (so glad you made it out and thanks for your help!! xoxo) Soon we were in the middle of a massive hail storm! I cowered under the big umbrella and pulled my blanket tighter while chunks of hail the size of golf balls landed around me. You could hear people under tarps yelling “ow! ow!” as the hail hit them lol

By close to 10:00 the storm was passing, but it was too late. Between residential noise by-laws and a soaking wet stage, the show could not go on. Jason made the official announcement that the music would not continue, but the party would as they lit bonfires and the bar still had some booze left! I was tired, cold and wet, so I secretly hoped Jay wouldn’t want to stay. Thankfully, Katrina felt the same as me and Jay was fine with leaving. So they packed up their stuff, helped me walk back through the (now wet, and sticking to my feet and sandals) sand and get settled in the nicely heated van before they went back to get my wheelchair and their stuff. (SO thoughtful).

Next year, they are hoping to hold the festival in another part of Carstairs. Some of the money made by this one is going towards building a town gazebo of sorts where they hope to hold it. The Mayor of Carstairs was even there, so I think they have a pretty good shot at making this an annual event. I sure hope so! It was a blast and will be even better for me next year, as I will hopefully be able to make it to the bathrooms!

Special thanks to Jay and Katrina for bringing me and all my equipment out there, having the smarts to keep umbrellas, blankets and tarps in the van, for air conditioning, and taking good care of me. To Damien and Kim for their help too, to Carol for all her hard work, to Terra, Matt, Jason and Sheldon for hugs and great music, and to beautiful Angie for seeking me out to introduce yourself. Not that any of them except Kim read this, but whatever!!