Duck Fest 2009

(Previously written this summer but forgot to post it!!)


I had the experience of a small festival. Not having been to a whole ton of them this particular festival was truly an experience. Bonnaroo being my first "real" festival, (because Lolla and Pitchfork aren't up to par) Duck Fest allowed a transformation of a very boring suburban night into one for the books.

If you've never experienced a festival, go; run as fast as you can to get there. I promise that you will never find a place quite like it. I have never been to a happier place. To me a, a festival can morph into so many things and there are no limits upon what you experience. There's something for everyone as long as you're open to experiencing a change in yourself.

After picking up my PIC for the evening, we made the journey to Martington, Illinois. After a few wrong turns and a few thousand corn fields, we spotted the tinfoil duck that directed towards to music. Pulling into the driveway it reminded me of your typical country farm house, lots of open area. The ground was nowhere near open, spacious but scattered throughout the property were music fans, tents, a stage, lights, friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends, hula hoopers, glow sticks, fire dancers and an attitude to uplift even the lowest spirit.

Walking around for a bit checking the scene, we found the bonfire where we connected with some of our other kindred spirits. My PIC found his buddy, I found my best friends, and this is where we parted for a portion of the evening.

The evening was underway hearing the sounds of local artists playing their instruments with ease. Sitting around the fire talking to old and new friends felt like being home. Home always reminds me of being able to connect with someone around a fire where there is no limit to where a conversation can go. And that's usually how it's done.

A close friend of mine taught me how to "glow stick". It was a little bit difficult at first but getting into the rhythm was the biggest part. Once I found the rhythm I was on a roll. This portion of the night was seemingly minute but was a pinnacle in what I found to be a place to move and think at the same time. I spent about 10 minutes twirling these glow sticks and found myself some clarity. I think that the clarity comes through when you realize you surround yourself with the people you want to experience moments, seconds, days, and any amount of time. Because in your mind, you will always remember a moment of clarity as with whom you were and where.

Thanks to those who helped me find a little bit of clarity through frustration.