Kath Raeber
Special to The Morning Star
So if you’re the well-organized, “get’r done” type, then you probably have your summer vacation planning done.
You have the RV site booked, and are experiencing that wide-eyed excitement as you put your first carefully thought out item down on your list. And with the loyalty of a best friend, you watch daily as your calendar fills up with Xs as you anticipate July 23 as your perfect vacation departure date.
But then again, if you’re a true Vernonite –– yes, it’s something we have to admit to –– you’re just getting something together now; not sure what, but something, last minute, or spontaneous is a better word, which seems so rebel like.
People like us, we just work better under pressure.
I know you’re all coming to Rarearth in July anyways, and yes I know you don’t have your tickets or your campsite booked, but it’s all good because I understand you: I know you, so there’s no sense letting you know the date right now because I know you won’t even look at this until July 22 –– the day before you need to know.
But for those that have labored over every X on that calendar, dotted every “i” and crossed every single “t” on your list, and maybe even paid for the RV site, I want you to think about this concept: Why not stay home, save some loot and breathe in what we’ve got here?
When was the last time you went up to Silver Star in the summer? Have you ever? Did you know there’s a whole world up there of breathtaking views that rival anything, anywhere in the world?
Did you know that people come HERE from around the world to create magical memories in OUR town at OUR resort, which is always at our fingertips, just 20 minutes east of us?
I have to admit I’m one of those people that really had no idea, until now, so moving the Rarearth Music Fest up to the Star was not just a good thing –– it was a GREAT thing!
Heading up the mountain now for what seems like the 100th time in the last few days –– lips pursed, eyes forward, and mind racing with details of the festival –– something urged me to pull over as I crested the top of the mountain. So I did. I got out and was compelled to turn around. I literally lost my breath as just one word replaced all that crazy mumbo jumbo in my head: paradise.
When people said, “Wow Kath, what a fantastic move up to the Star for Rarearth this year,” they seemed to know something I didn’t. But I truly do get it now and all of the challenges of having a festival on a mountain have slipped away –– almost.
Next stop, I find myself right in the middle of the buzz as mountain bikers swoosh past, or as the rounds of laughter echo through the mountain with stories of close calls and exhilarating moments.
The vision of racing down a mountain at full speed is something I won’t be doing in this lifetime, but sharing that laughter is pretty cool.
Smiles everywhere and a “hey, how’s it goin’?” or residents who can’t believe there will be a festival in their own backyard, yelling from their balconies: “Hey Kath, what do you need? I’m there, just name it. I’m on it.” It’s a whole other world up there.
With Rarearth only weeks away, I know that wherever our very own festival takes us this year, and for all those with lists and those without, for me, I will absolutely be on holiday as my lungs fill with crisp, clean air and I am surrounded by the positive energy when the “Mountain Meets the Music” July 23 and 24.
Music, family fun, accommodation, tickets, shuttle services, and every detail of this amazing event is on our website at www.rarearthmusic.com. It all begins at 10 a.m. when Bobby Bovenzi’s drumming extravaganza will summon you all to the Star.
–– Kath Raeber is the founder and artistic director of the Rarearth Music Festival.
