Saturday afternoon, behind the school, there will be an outdoor fair similar to the one which has proven so popular at Gatherings in Hanover, New Hampshire. We will have live music, tables with gear and books for sale, and plenty of room to relax, hang out, toss a Frisbee or just renew old ties with trail friends you haven’t seen in too long.
Outdoors, we’ll have live music provided by the Bayou Bandits. The flavor will of course be Cajun. Should be a kickin’ good time. Bring a blanket, or just sprawl out on the grass. In between sets, some hikers can fill in the gaps, so bring your guitar, harmonica or penny whistle, and let us hear your best trail music. It’s not a talent contest, so talent is optional!
We anticipate that the Appalachian Trail Conference will once again operate the road version of its Backcountry Store, with all the books, patches, shirts, videos, guidebooks, maps and stationery you can buy from the headquarters in Harpers Ferry. They will be set up on a table, either outdoors or in the cafeteria.
Backpacker Magazine will also have a table set up. Backpacker, which co-sponsored a tag-team thru-hike of the A.T. last year involving many members of ALDHA, is headquartered in Pennsylvania. We welcome them to their first Gathering!
And inside the cafeteria, set up by popular demand, will be Bill Gunderson’s gigantic topographical trail map showing the entire Eastern Seaboard’s ridgelines that the Appalachian Trail traverses, all the way from Georgia to Maine. "Stats Godric," as Bill was known during his 1989 thru-hike, will gladly answer questions and point out some of the more fascinating points of interest along the trail in a manner you’ve never seen before. (Stats is hoping that other members of the Class of "A.T.9" show up this year, for a reunion at the Gathering.)
Saturday evening . . .
The entertainment Saturday night will focus on ALDHA’s tribute to Jean Cashin, the longtime ATC staff person who took thru-hikers and section-hikers under her wing as they passed through Harpers Ferry and visited the ATC headquarters. Jean was up front in every way, and Saturday night will be no exception.
Afterward, back at the campsite, the traditional Saturday night Contra dance returns to the Gathering, with Harrisburg-area cloggers calling the show. The field house at the campsite is the ideal location. So even if you just want to watch, you should plan to attend. But it’s more fun to grab hands and join the circle.
A campfire will be lit Saturday night in an area of the field where folks can rekindle old trail stories. This site will be located on the other side of the field house, away from the main camping area, so folks who want to hit the sack won’t be right on top of the noise. Still, we ask folks at the campfire to have fun but keep it tame!
Sunday evening . . .
Entertainment on Sunday night will consist of slide shows from all sorts of trips and adventures, taken by fellow ALDHA members. In past years, this potpourri of imagery has gone from the Pyrennes of northern Spain to the Continental Divide of the western United States.
If you would like to show your slides during this portion of the program, contact program coordinator Scott Beavers. The agenda for this part of the program is kept fairly loose, because many folks will have already hit the road to return home. But you’re more than welcome to stay over until Monday morning, the Columbus Day holiday, before driving back, and join us for these slides.
Back to the Gathering
