Why Grassroots is our Christmas

Ever heard of Christmas in July? Well, my High School friends and I have our own version. Every July we gather from different parts of the country to celebrate together at the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance. This past week was no different, and we all gathered our tents, coolers, glow sticks, and sensible shoes (for dancing in the Fiddler’s Tent all night). For three nights we listen to our favorite local bands, dance and sway the night away, and reminisce about old times.

We all agree that every year we go to Grassroots is better than the last, and this year was no exception. A weekend filled with lawn games, days at the lake, nights eating alligator bites and drinking in the beer tent, and our favorite music: Rusted Root, John Brown’s Body, Donna the Buffalo, and The Sim Redmond Band.

So why is this Christmas? No, there aren’t presents or trees or egg nog, but there are decorations, endless singing, and most importantly, being together with the people you love for a few fleeting nights - much the way people gather back in their hometown during the holidays. For us, Grassroots IS another holiday, and we are lucky to be close enough friends to all make the effort to travel back to Ithaca every July.