The American Festivals Project, partially funded by a National Geographic Young Explorer’s Grant, is led by photographers Ross McDermott and Matt Burris. The project explores America’s variety of small-town festivals, with the aim of discovering a rich diversity of culture that has in part remained hidden. Traveling in a Waste Vegetable Oil-powered truck, and living in a 1969 Airstream trailer, Ross and Matt are covering over one year of unique festival life from forty-nine of America’s states.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Herein marks the first post to the American Festivals Project blog. For the next year (and possibly longer), Matt and I will take you across the United States as we visit over sixty small, hidden, and bizarre festivals. What an adventure lies ahead, but how much work we have to get there!!
I am currently in Charlottesville, VA working on our newly purchased vehicles that will take us around this grand country. We’ve acquired a 1969 Airstream trailer (our home for the next year), and a big ol’ Dodge Ram 2500 that will soon be converted to run on waste vegetable oil. More on that later.
We received some of our first press last week from the C-Ville Weekly. My friend Brendan was nice enough to do a small article. Read it HERE.
My days are spent fixing up the Airstream. We’ve had to re-plumb the entire trailer as the copper piping had ruptured in several places. My friend Hope is helping me with the plumbing because the project is a little beyond me. If you ever need a great builder (and female), Hope is the best! I’m also working on converting the bathroom area into a darkroom. I ripped out all the old, ugly bathroom appliances and I’m kind of simplifying the space. We will still have a shower, but the rest of the bathroom will just be counter tops for the darkroom. It’s been a big job, but a fun learning process. If I had the time and the money, I’d love to gut the entire trailer and start from scratch. However, with our budget, we are stuck to living with the 1969 decor. It won’t be so bad.
At this point, I don’t even know if the gas, or power converters work. I have yet to test the stove, fridge, fans, and exterior lights. There are so many old components to the Airstream that it can be very overwhelming to think about them at once. I’m sort of taking on one appliance at a time, and reading as I go. Hopefully it will all come together in the next few weeks. One day at a time, right?
The next few weeks look like this:
Continue renovation to the Airstream trailer.
Continue seeking sponsorship and selling prints.
Matt comes to Charlottesville around the 17th or 18th, or I go down to N.C. to meet him while we get more work done to the Airstream.
We plan our route and set up the darkroom in the week leading up to departure.
Truck gets converted to WVO a few days before departure.
August 31st-Hit the Road!
For those of you reading our first post, I hope you’ll bookmark the page and continue to read as our project progresses. Please note that we are currently pre-selling photographs from the project to be given out at the conclusion of the project. Matt and I hope you will take advantage of owning a print and in doing so, support the project.
Farther up and further in!
18 Comments
Permalink
1866Umidget:
we are looking forward to seeing your pics of the dwarfs & midgets from the little people minneapolis event. let us know when they are up at http://shortdwarf.com
Permalink
julie r rambo:
Hey, maybe you will meet the Roloff family from Little People BIG World from TLC. they go to the Little people Minneapolis event every year!
Permalink
joanne pierson:
Hi, hope you will stay at the farm when you get to the Twin cities. I’m so excited for you both. God Speed, Love, Joanne
Permalink
Greg Antrim:
Ross- when inspiration strikes and you realize the depth and impact of your experiences at The Bridge feeding into your journey — be certain to send along a profound and visionary testimonial — we expect to get a Guggenheim or McArthur from your words (and images). In all seriousness — I’m really excited for you both and looking forward to seeing what you all discover.Hope to be able to cross pathes with you somewhere along the way.
p.s. Don’t hesitate to call my brother if you break down in St.Louis. He’ll take you both to a Cardinals game while they’re fixing the radiator.
Permalink
Greg Antrim Kelly:
Greg Antrim is road-trip alias. peace.
Permalink
jay and lisa steinke:
Hey, come to Duluth…it’s wierd and bizzare, may even qualify as a festival of sorts. We are behind you all the way…….
Permalink
rosco:
Joanne, Jay and Lisa,
You know we’ll be stopping by!!
Permalink
Matt Blalock:
Good luck my friend! If you need anything, I’m here for you!
Permalink
Tom Daly:
out of curiosity, what’s the one state that you won’t be visiting?
Permalink
Annie Kao:
Ross, Ting forwarded this to me~~ I am so happy to learn that your dream project has come to a realization!!! Go, Go, Go!!!
Permalink
rosco:
Tom,
Why it’s Kansas, of course! No, actually we won’t be going to Hawaii, unless of course I feel that I truly need a vacation and we come into some money along the way.
Permalink
eev:
Happy for you, Ross! Now I do not know where to send a little card for you
Permalink
Jenny Lee:
This is fantastic, Matthew! I look forward to keeping track of your travel and pictures. Thanks for including me in your adventure.
Permalink
James Tehero:
Matt, I’m excited for you…this adventure will be a tremendous experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I look forward to seeing your work, especially from Fairbanks. Let me know when you’re heading to my home state!
Permalink
Ling:
You guys are absolutely amazing. I’m looking forward to your pictures and weblog.
Permalink
james mulry:
ross and matt – this looks to be a great adventure. anything in the northeast planned? will be watching thru here, so please update frequently!
richie and i visited the airstream museum when we passed it while riding cross country, i’ve always had a place in my heart for them. have a great time!
Permalink
Greg Antrim Kelly:
Good morning fellas. Ross, Leigh had asked me to bring you all something. Hoping to catch you before you depart. Here’s a riddle;
The next time you shave your face – it is likely to quicken your pace – as you dig deep within – you’ll find something that spins – and there by find sounds in its case.
Permalink
Greg Antrim Kelly:
How far did you go today?!!!