Howdy, Bob Nelson here. I participated in the 6:30 Sunday evening concert of NorthWest folksongs. My memory tells me that I sang in the first 17 or 18 festivals, back in the days when it was smaller and much more fun. I've only performed occasionally over the last ten years, mainly because of the larger crowds and the taking away of most of the performer's benifits.

Recently, there seems to be a pattern developing that will probably eliminate me from participating again. Just prior to our concert, a LARGE group of drummers, probably 20 or 30, took over an outside spot and started their extremely loud noise. I complained to our stage manager but he did nothing about it. I'm sure their volume ruined at least a dozen closeby stages and performances.

The management/director seems to have the attitude of "anything goes," and the larger and the noisier the better.

Having said that, I did enjoy catching a few concerts and running into scores of friends. But, I can do that WITHOUT the hoards of people and drumming noise. CHEERS, Bob