As usual, last night the folk festival ended, leaving a mixture of relief and regret. Relief, because sleep will be sweet; regret, because people are going home and we won't see or hear them for another year.

The weather was beautiful this year, which isn't always the case. People played outdoors, on street corners, in halls and hotel rooms and lobbies all hours of the day and night.

This year the guest artists were Frankie Gavin and Brian McGrath. Engaging, talented people.

People came from all over. Most, of course, were from Alaska, which is pretty far-flung itself. But I think the farthest-traveled was a brother-sister duo from Liverpool. Several musicians were from the U.S. east coast, and from the American midwest. Lots of musicians were here from the Yukon Territory- more of them than ever before, which is really neat. No one from Russia this year, though.

Paul Roseland, the 'Singing Sourdough', was there. So was Hank Cramer, the big-voiced Sea Shantie man. I sat in on a workshop he presented. I checked his itinerary and it seems that he appears primarily on the west coast.

I also took a workshop on shape-note singing, which was fun. Took the same class last year- learned a little more this year. At this rate, in five years I will be able to sing with 'most anybody!

Today I will host one final music party for those who won't be leaving town until tonight. And then it's all over for another year.

Ebbie