steveh_2o - Posted - 06/27/2024:  10:25:04

Coming up in about a month! I'm planning on being there for pre-camping and the festival. I'll try to get a spot somewhere between the basketball courts and the flush toilets. Any of y'all that are there stop and say hello. I'll be the fat guy with the two-tone beard and a bunch of home made instruments.

Steve's Washtub Bass camp 2023:

RDP - Posted - 06/27/2024:  16:51:38

Is it hard to get a camping spot there? What the camping spot price?

steveh_2o - Posted - 07/01/2024:  08:07:32

quote:

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Originally posted by RDP

Is it hard to get a camping spot there? What the camping spot price?

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Spots are first come first serve.  There is always somewhere to set up but the "good" spots go quickly.  You might get lucky, there is some turnover as people leave.   Pre-camping is $20 per person per night +$50 festival fee.  Camping is included if you get there just for the festival.  Here is the pricing chart.  You have to pay for the rest of the week no matter when you arrive.  I plan on getting there Friday and camping 9 nights.   My fee will be $150.   

There aren't marked sites.  Find a spot and set up.   At one end of the grounds ther is an old water tower at the highest spot.  This is usually called "Geezer Hill".  Generally speaking, camp as close to there as you can if you want to be in bed early and keep things calm and relaxed.  The further away you get from the tower the wilder things get.  At the very bottom of the hill the jams will go on all night long and shenanigans abound.

RDP - Posted - 07/01/2024:  09:53:17

ThankYou for taking the time to write back. I’ll be much more informed of what I’m heading into. It’s probably like Galax old time fiddlers convention. Some folks get there days ahead of the main crowds to get a spot.

steveh_2o - Posted - 07/01/2024:  14:43:59

quote:

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Originally posted by RDP

ThankYou for taking the time to write back. I’ll be much more informed of what I’m heading into. It’s probably like Galax old time fiddlers convention. Some folks get there days ahead of the main crowds to get a spot.

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No problem.  I've never been to Galax, maybe one of these years.  They allow people to line up for entry at 1PM on Friday at Clifftop.  There Has been such a crowd waiting the past few years starting Wednesday that they are closing the road in till Thursday afternoon.  Last year I got there Thursday and camped one night in line.  One of the best jams of the week was with the folks next to me in the que.

WVDreamin - Posted - 07/23/2024:  11:02:18

My plan is always Thursday due to the amount of driving to get there. Last year had some great picking at Pre-top (that's what my neighbors call waiting in line). Steve, you're camping by my buddy Lee, probably played some with him, I recall some talk about a washtub bass. Lee give free fiddle lessons (probably clawhammer too) during his stay. Hope to get some tunes in with you all. Look for the fiddler with a cute little, liver-colored terrier. Usually I'm camped in the corner of the stage field, tucked into the tree line running from the right of the stage way back.

steveh_2o - Posted - 07/23/2024:  11:12:27

quote:

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Originally posted by WVDreamin

My plan is always Thursday due to the amount of driving to get there. Last year had some great picking at Pre-top (that's what my neighbors call waiting in line). Steve, you're camping by my buddy Lee, probably played some with him, I recall some talk about a washtub bass. Lee give free fiddle lessons (probably clawhammer too) during his stay. Hope to get some tunes in with you all. Look for the fiddler with a cute little, liver-colored terrier. Usually I'm camped in the corner of the stage field, tucked into the tree line running from the right of the stage way back.

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I've had a lesson or so with Lee.  I'm not a very good student, but here we are.  I'll be in the Pre-Top line too.  Look for the blue Honda Element with junk piled all over and around it.

WVDreamin - Posted - 07/23/2024:  17:05:37

I'll be in a red Jeep renegade pulling a tiny teardrop with white roof and Pepsi Blue sides (that is the actual color name)

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/09/2024:  06:40:17

quote:

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Originally posted by WVDreamin

I'll be in a red Jeep renegade pulling a tiny teardrop with white roof and Pepsi Blue sides (that is the actual color name)

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Nice meeting you!  Hopefully you made it home without incident.  

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/09/2024:  08:01:49

Photo slideshow:

WVDreamin - Posted - 08/09/2024:  08:36:33

Drove the whole way on Saturday - pulled into my driveway at 1:44am. Great meeting you Steve, I've been watching YouTubes and see your face pop up in several of them. Hope you had as much fun as I did.

Already planning next year's trip.

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/12/2024:  10:40:28

I'm still sorting through some video, but here is a playlist of what I have so far. Mostly just scenes from around my campsite.  I'll probably add a few more things.

OldPappy - Posted - 08/14/2024:  20:21:06

I was there, visited with some friends, made a couple of new friends, but my arthritis flared up pretty bad and I was hardly able to play. I did give a couple of lessons, or demonstrations, of my style of playing.
Had a good time.

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/15/2024:  07:01:08

quote:

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Originally posted by OldPappy

I was there, visited with some friends, made a couple of new friends, but my arthritis flared up pretty bad and I was hardly able to play. I did give a couple of lessons, or demonstrations, of my style of playing.

Had a good time.

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Sorry that I missed you.  I was down in the front field a time or two but didn't see you in the spot from last year.  

OldPappy - Posted - 08/15/2024:  09:35:24

I was at the tree line at the end of the field, around the corner from where I usually camp because those places were already taken.

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/15/2024:  13:20:42

youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiW...FHpNpC1za

Playlist of my videos. I have a few more to sort through and add.

 

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/16/2024:  11:54:27

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/16/2024:  11:55:43

jackobin on the banjo. Great playin'!

jenorma1 - Posted - 08/17/2024:  18:22:41

Kinda curious who won the contests - anybody got a list of winners?

Lone Walnut - Posted - 08/18/2024:  04:35:26

It sure was nice to visit with you Steve. You thoroughly enjoy life and seeing people have a great time. Keep at it. And to you Andy, Thanks for your generosity showing me the "drive" that you have in your playing. I greatly appreciate you. I hope you enjoyed the smoked cheese. I have made many friends over the years attending Clifftop. Thanks to all of you.

BrendanD - Posted - 08/18/2024:  15:02:40

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Originally posted by jenorma1

Kinda curious who won the contests - anybody got a list of winners?

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Here are the fiddle contest winners:

1st: Tessa McCoy

2nd: Henry Barnes

3rd: Smack Walser

4th: Tricia Spencer

5th: Zephyr Yellman (sp?)

I know Adam Hurt took first in banjo, but I missed the banjo finals and don't know who the other finalists were.