My recipe for a perfect weekend: Start with eleven musicians. Add wives, fiances and friends. Stir in great accommodations, a beautiful setting, perfect fall weather, great Dixieland jazz and delicious food. Add a dash of Southern hospitality, great audiences and a festival. And viola...bon appetit!

That's exactly what happened this weekend in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. It began with a wonderful supper on Friday at the yacht club. Following supper, we played to a very appreciative audience who danced, whooped and hollered.

We played at the Visitors Center Saturday morning. Those of you who played may not realize it, but we actually set the tone for the festival. It's easy to overlook, because everyone is coming and going, exploring all there is to see at this tiny town festival. It's very much the opposite of Fair Saint Louis, but very much the same. Where FSL has about 250,000 people, the Hunter's Moon Festival has probably 1,000 - tops. We had a great time interacting with (can you say teasing?) the young man who served as MC. He was actually pretty good at reacting to our humor.

The parade was next. I gotta say that our "boat float" was much better this year. They put a bright blue top on it and had a much sturdier trailor and truck to pull it. As with the VP Parade, we have almost as much fun playing before and after.

We gathered at the big condo for a delicious barbecue late Saturday afternoon. Many thanks to everyone who gave so much to make this a wonderful event. Aside from the music, it was my favotite time as the food was the best, and it allowed us time to talk and renew friendships.

Then we played at the gazebo. No one was looking forward to this, because it was getting pretty chilly outside. But we went, and played, and had a great time. I was really impressed to learn that four of the people there had actually traveled over 200 miles to hear us, having heard us last year.

We played at Mass this morning at St. Anthony's. It was beautiful. I got choked up a couple of times. The congregation stood and applauded when we finished. It was awesome.

The farewell brunch was delicious. Irene asked the band to play a little bit, which they did, and she ended up buying our meals. Does life get any better?

Attached are a few pics...thanks, Denise. More to follow.

Dan