[HG] On our way to St. Chartier.

[david lee echelard]

After over 6 years of hearing about the St. Chartier Festival, we as  
a family are making a trip to France for a month and spending  4  
nights at La Chatre and finally making the festival.
Sure people say its gotten too big, but we live in a rural Minnesota  
village in the U.S. and are up for a Big vielle a roué drone party  
with a strong dosage of bagpipes and an overdose of looking at  
musical instruments and their builders.
We have been dedicated in our attendance at the Over the Water Hurdy  
Gurdy Festival in Washington State
(thanks again everyone that produces the festival, as it is a service  
to the dedicated French Traditional music  crowd in America and let  
it be known that Suzanne Cooley and David Lee Echelard appreciate all  
of everyones work as it has been a major influence in our lives as  
well as our children’s)
and now we are going to dance and listen to some wild tunage with our  
children at St. Chartier.
Hopefully our 17 year old and 11 year old will understand us as  
parents better after being around other drone enthusiast and people  
that have passion for  French traditional music.(poor kids, as it is  
true that children can not choose their own parents)
If I remember from reading the list in the past years, was there a  
gathering place to meet or get together scheduled? is that true this  
year?
We are leaving the 26 of June, on our way to Paris, Bretagne (to meet  
distant relatives), the loire valley and then to the festival.
Any tips, advice or words of wisdom from people about the festival or  
things not to miss or area day trips…kid stuff…?
We already have out tickets as they were sent to us from the FNAC  
ticket service,  staying La Chatre, and have a car rental.
If you have any words, we are all ears.
David Lee Echelard/Suzanne Cooley    Winona, Minnesota