Folkfest 2012 Part 1

Christmas becomes less and less exciting as I grow older. I mean, it’s great to participate in the same holiday traditions I did when I was a kid, but the thrill and anticipation that comes from childlike curiosity dulls with age and is replaced by skepticism and impatience. I think the reason for this change is the repetition of disappointment. A child so anxiously waits for that one gift they’ve wanted for so long. Christmas morning they unwrap all their presents and, sure enough, their dream is a reality and they enjoy that new CD player or bike or car. Yet, for years afterward, they will remember that wonderful gift and be disappointed by the valuable, yet, less thrilling surprises of future Christmases.
What, you may be wondering dear reader, does this have to do with the Springville World Folkfest 2012? I assure you, you’ll understand shortly.
Folkfest 2011 was possible the most wonderful Folkfest I had experienced in the twelve plus years I have participated in this annual event. I country-chaired for a group of the most friendly, loving, and talented Indonesians. I have precious memories of personal experiences with every one of the 30 people in the group. I consider them part of my family and I miss them dearly now that they are so far away. Also, being my first year as a country-chair, some of my greatest tests and accomplishments as a leader came from my experiences with the Indonesians. Their love for me gave me the confidence to progress in other areas of my life, especially at my job working at a school for special education.
After being given such a wonderful gift at the Folkfest 2011, I naturally had much anxiety as Folkfest 2012 approached. It was not because I didn’t feel confident in my ability to fulfill the duties of a country-chair. I feared that my experience with my 2012 group would be less satisfying, less warm, and less eternal than the experiences I shared with the Indonesians during the 2011 Folkfest.
The housing arrangements and scheduling did not go smoothly for the 2012 festival. We had many groups drop out last minute and one group decide to come with only a few days’ notice. I had tried to prepare my host families far in advance so that I would not have to stress about not having enough during the month of the festival. However, the country I was supposed to have, Kenya, dropped out and I was given a new country, Colombia, which had more than ten more participants that Kenya making it essential for me to find many last minute hosts. As it does every year, the host family arrangements fell into place just in time for the beginning of the festival thanks to the many hours donated by my fellow country-chairs and the housing directors.
We encountered more stress and confusion when our dancers arrived, not in Salt Lake as we expected, but in Las Vegas. They were not aware of the distance between Vegas and Springville, so they were unprepared. They had to use all their extra money to rent a bus to drive them to Springville where they arrived at two in the morning. My very tired host families collected the dancers and took them home where they would sleep only a few hours before the musicians had to be taken to sound check rehearsal early the next morning. Even though I was tired I was glad I got up for that rehearsal. I met the director of the Colombian group, Emerson. He was quite a character. He wanted to ask Patrice something so he sat down on the edge of the stage, patted the spot next to him. She sat down and he wrapped his arm around her and patted her head and said, “We need to make negotiate.” They then proceeded to discuss business. He was so energetic and fun.
The rest of the week, for me, consisted of no sleep and much stress. However, I can say with all sincerity that it was worth every minute. I had the pleasure of hosting six Colombian men in my parents’ vacant rental house in Springville. Nathan, Cynthia, and Toey were also there with me to help with driving. Our six boys were delightful and loving. They expressed appreciation frequently and helped wherever they could. Though, I admit, their lack of punctuality was frustrating sometimes.