The Inner Circle

Squaw Mountain Music Festival 1999
by JW Olson

Squaw Mountain Ranch hosted it's fifth annual music festival this year from Aug 19th through the 22nd of 1999. This is one of those can't miss functions which of course happen all too infrequently! This year was no exception. World class entertainment and the weather co-operated fully providing nice sunshine everyday. In fact, even as well tanned as I thought I was, I developed a little redness on my chest on the last afternoon!

The music talent for the event was unlimited and Gary Savage kicked off the festivities about 8:00 pm Thursday evening with a variety of different types of music till about 11:00 pm.

Florida Phil Eddings started off Friday's bands at about 10:00 am followed by the Hudson Rockets playing blues then Phil Eddings filled in again for an band that couldn't make it. This was followed by a open mike program where various artists got up an played what ever instruments they had with them. The Hurricane Band closed out the evening with country music playing till about 12:30 pm.

Saturdays music stated again about 10:00 am with the Ray Harris Band with Steel Drum Music. This was the first I had heard this type of music but it was very good. Then Reggae with some Caribbean music. Christopher Keeney and his sister, Traci put on what was for me a real treat, a demonstration of Irish dance! Christopher dances professionally with a New York Irish dance group so we saw first hand the steps that made Riverdance famous! Open mike again with banjo music, panflutes, some guitar. Then The Hurricane Band was back but this time playing '50s and 60's Rock and roll till again about 12:30 am!

Sunday about 10:00 am, we had Florida Phil Eddings back and Gary Savage plus some open mike in the morning till JT & the Tourists arrived at 1:00 and took us till the 5:30 wrap-up with an excellent show. Did you count up all those hours of music? And Top notch it was too! Still the weekend wasn't over as we were invited to one of Squaw Mountain's famous potluck suppers! Sure wish we wouldn't have had jobs to get to Monday morning as we would have loved to stay just a little longer. We were very much like our kids. You know, "Just let me stay up just five more minutes... PLEASE!"

Now, just because I mentioned the bands doesn't mean that was all that was happening. No indeed! There were Squaw Mountain's friendly members making sure everyone was having a wonderful time! Volleyball games were organized, a body painting contest was fit in, horseshoe games were happening, miniature golf games, vendor booths of arts and crafts, hiking trails were all available, hot tubs, sauna, lake swimming, cribbage tournament, raffles, kids entertainment, paddleboats, canoeing and just good conversation were all there! There was also an excellent kitchen which served up full meal selections as well as the normal fast food type items. Espresso, soft drinks and ice cream were also there to tempt you! I don't think I can lose much weight this way!

I am not sure of the number of attendees but estimate about 400. Ages from 18 weeks to approx. 85 (she said she was over 80 but under a hundred so I had to guess and I wouldn't pry.) I walked around looking at some of the motor coaches and found license plates from Alberta, British Columbia, (yes, an international event!) Arizona, Cal, Illinois, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, as well as speaking with people who flew in from New York, Hawaii, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, and Maryland. I was only one man so couldn't speak with everyone but I tried! Everyone I spoke to was enjoying themselves very much and some had been to all five of the Squaw Mountain Music Festivals! Lucky People! I ended up feeling sorry for those people who were only a couple hours or so away and missed it. This event was worth every effort to get here! I am sure there were some problems in an event this large but it was so well organized I could only spot one glitch, the power went out a couple of times but the bands played through and no-one got upset. These folks all really know how to make a person feel welcome and at home! I can't wait for the next one! Maybe we'll get some extra time off and spend a few extra days before and after the festival next year! See you there!

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