I'll be going to GottaGetGone for the first time as well.
Various Albany (New York) area friends have been telling
me about it for years. Now with Jeff and Barbara being there,
I'm making the leap. Sounds like a good party.

Sorry to miss the NY Folkmusic gathering.
Dave, have a great time!
Joy, it was good to see you and Chris Saturday night.

Burl, Memorial Day weekend was originally called "Decoration Day"
a time to remember those who "died in our nation's service"
you can read more here: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
Apparently it dates back to the American Civil War/War Between the States (also known in the South as the War of Northern Aggression)

So why do Americans spend the holiday grilling meat, hanging out in the sun, and (for folkies) making music? Possibly because
we can't stand remembering our own history or thinking about
unpleasant things. Not completely true, but mostly.