Greetings.... Please pass this on to the Saskatoon Bluegrassers.....

I wanted to pass along some information about the summer bluegrass camp andfestival at Cross Ranch State Park, sponsored by the Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of North Dakota (BOTMAND).

I mentioned this to the group on Friday's jam and said I would pass on more information. We have not got the festival line up set yet, but the camp is ready to go. The skills required are that you need to be able to play basic chords, and know the basics of your instrument. You will find you learn alot form other musicians in your group and from the jams. This is one ofthose places where you can just about ask anyone and they will take the time to show you their tricks. As the mandolin player from the Wildwood ValleyBoys told me "I didn't write the stuff Bill Monroe did, I'll be happy to show you".

I received about a hour of free mandolin lessons beside my camper.The camp and festival are at a state park along the Missouri river on North Dakota, about 80 miles south of Minot. It is great camp ground, well treed and well looked after. The serviced sites are booked well in advance but there is plenty of overflow parking in grassy/treed area. Everything is within walking distance.

The cost of the camp is $100 US plus camping fees. Camp runs Wed night through Thursday and Friday. As well as the instrument you choose, we have mini labs through out the day. In the past we have had a claw hammer banjo workshop ( Dick Kimmel ,who wrote the Mel Bay claw hammerbook), harmony singing, use of electronics, jamming etiquette, "learn abluegrass song", "Learn a gospel song" to name a few.

Friday night the festival starts and it is solid bluegrass until Sunday night. Jamming is almost non stop with a group area set up in a shed for everyone, plus the camp site jams that go most of the night. This is a very welcoming group and just about anyone can fit in.Dates for the camp are July 6(evening), 7, 8. The festival is July 8, 9, 10. Hope to see you there.

Mel Flahr Carnduff Sask.