His face said it all. Crushed. Sad. Grateful. Lost. It was over. And with it, a very beautiful piece of his generous, joyful essence that I unabashedly adore.
All good things come to an end. The news of Riverfest Elora ending a 15-year run, 14 years of which he was on board, broke his heart.
You might think that’s dramatic, but if you knew my husband, the Carpenter, you’d know that for him, and anyone who was part of it, Riverfest Elora was more than a music festival; it was his community. His people. His tribe. His passion project always with the intent to honour the memory of founder Marilyn Koop, who first invited him along at the very start.
He only missed one summer while we ran a glamping business that supported the festival by lodging music fans from across the province. But when that dream ended, his Riverfest family took him back into the fold this year. I’m grateful. Nobody knew it would be the last time.
The man who doesn’t take vacations would book a day off work the day before the festival. We knew he’d be gone to build the backstage bridge, ramps, stairs and whatever else needed doing. For years he was a trash panda, so he’d come home stinky, but happy and energized, then shower quickly and head back ready to party.
Every year, the Carpenter would build something unique for the festival; a secret surprise for the organizers. Tables, benches, bar tops. He’d hand paint them in our garage, free drawing the logo and characters that changed every year. If Spencer (Riverfest’s creative director) happened to walk by our former home, the garage door would close really fast, so he wouldn’t see inside. On festival weekend, the Carpenter would load up the truck and head over, unveiling that year’s creations in anticipation of seeing friends Ally, Kelsey and Jon react. I’m grateful they found my Carpenter as entertaining as I do.
The Carpenter’s reward was in seeing the crowd love the festival too and in giving our children exposure to the power of live music. They grew up with the festival. Being in the crowd with them year after year, from preteen to adulthood, singing, dancing and hollering, is a series of memories I will hold dear forever.
Having our fresh-out-of-college photographer son invited to the side stage to photograph the Glorious Sons was a chance of a lifetime. And our daughter got to meet some of her favourite artists. Their dad couldn’t have been more proud.
I remember slow dancing with the Carpenter in the crowd as Blue Rodeo sang our song. That was a moment. Or standing with my friend Jo tearing up, singing along with City and Colour in 2019, not knowing I’d lose her a short time later. That was a moment.
Riverfest Elora was more than a music festival. It was the heart and soul of a community. It was a gathering of friends you waited all year to see. Hugs. Cheers. Quick chats. Moving through the swell of people in one gentle wave. Alive. Grateful.
To the organizers of Riverfest, to every single volunteer and to Marilyn, our family is forever grateful. To the Carpenter, thank you for being exactly the kind of man you are. Heart and soul.
