What we try to do on this blog is show you all the great aspects of American festivals and events, highlight some of the interesting people we meet, and share the light-hearted stories along the way. But perhaps what we don’t do enough of, is share the day to day events and challenges that make up the majority of the project. A lot of our friends comment on our project through the blog or over the phone. The common perception that most have is, ‘That looks like so much fun”, or “It’s like you’re on vacation”, or “I wish I could just drive around and look at cool stuff.” These are all comments that we expect, because given the general nature of the project, this is a trip of a lifetime, and it is lots of fun.

One of the reasons for not posting on a daily basis and providing more day-to-day updates, is that we are limited to wireless connection and we are almost constantly busy with driving, researching new places to go, editing images and video, and creating the ‘long’ blog posts that you typically see. It feels like any time we have away from driving is spent on the computer–and even then, the person not driving is usually on a laptop! I’ve wondered what it would be like to just drive across America for the sole purpose of ‘the experience’. No plans, no set destinations, no cameras (well, maybe one camera), and certainly no vegetable oil. But by imagining that care-free style of travel, I suppose I am forgetting about inevitable problems that always occur on a road trip.

This project has for the most part been free of major problems. However, there are those moments when the world seems to be against us. This week in particular has been plagued with automobile problems, although mostly related to running veggie oil. Since last Wednesday in Sweetwater, Texas, we’ve driven close to 2,500 miles on the ol’ dodge lodge, dished out $1,200 of our hard-earned cash on repairs, and spent countless hours tweaking the vegetable oil system for it to function properly. Besides the two wonderful events we photographed (the mardi gras Indians and cheerleaders), the week has been an exhausting kick to the stomach. There are those moments, when you’re going on three hours of sleep and pumping veggie oil at 3am from a nasty garbage area in a dark alleyway, that you wonder just how important this project is to you.

We had a funny experience last week when gathering some veggie oil in Texas. Now, I must preface this story by saying that we almost always ask permission for veggie oil before we pump it. But on this certain occasion, we were in a rush to get to a dinner appointment, and we thought this Asian restaurant was a chain, which meant the employees would probably know nothing about their waste oil, nor care if we took some. So we pulled the big dodge lodge up to the barrels of veggie, hooked up our pump, and helped ourselves. We were quietly going about our business when from out of nowhere a small Vietnamese man came storming out the back door of the restaurant screaming in pigeon english, “Give me ten dollars, give me ten dollars! I call the 911!” Due to the volume of his voice and wildly gesturing arms, we knew this guy meant business. Andrew and I tried to explain what we were doing, and that really, we were doing him a favor by taking away his oil. But the angry man did not want to have a conversation, and we guessed that he owned this restaurant and was already getting paid for his waste oil. Unfortunately, neither of us had any cash so Andrew explained that he was going to walk over to Walmart and withdraw cash. While Andrew was gone, I felt like the ransomed child, guarded by a raging Vietnamese who continued to stand guard while muttering English (and Vietnamese) swear words under his breath. After a few minutes though, I figured that since we had to pay the $10, we might as well get our money worth and pump the rest of the oil. The man complied. I smiled and asked him if China Express was his restaurant. He didn’t smile. Needless to say, we made it out of there alive, and even made our dinner appointment.

There are countless stories like this from the road, but sadly we run out of time to properly share them. As we embrace the problems along the way, we always remind ourselves that we are seeing the unique life of America, and it truly is an honor. We’ll do our best to write more from the road and hopefully you can respond with your comments. Farther up and further in!

In case you have not noticed the lack of photo posts, The American Festivals Project is taking a winter break.  However, there are a few things to note and look forward to for the spring and summer.

Most notably, the project will continue in February as a solo effort.  Matthew has decided to put in his resignation and return to NYC.  This is not the most welcomed news to announce, as it certainly changes the original vision of the project.  But the photography will go on, and this blog will continue to provide a wide look at America’s small, hidden, and bizarre festivals and events.  Matt, the project will miss you.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for a revamped website with more info about planned festivals and routes for the spring and summer.  The website should also provide a better way for those of you who purchased prints to browse through the project photos.  Also, there may be some changes in equipment, as the beloved Airstream is currently up for sale.  I’ve realized that speed, size, and accessibility all contribute to making traveling as easy as possible.   There may be some new people on the project too, but you’ll have to wait and see.

I’m also in preliminary talks with a producer from a National Geographic television show called ‘Wild Chronicles’.  The American Festivals Project may just find itself on T.V. in the near future, but the details are still vague.  Will keep you posted on that!

In January, look forward to photos from an Ice Fishing festival somewhere really cold!  February and March include the World Toboggan Championships, a Maine winter fest, the World Water Tasting contest, a Rattlesnake Roundup, and a small Mardi Gras festival in Louisiana!

The past few months have been a real adventure and learning process.  I’m so grateful for the many of you who have continued to visit the blog, offered comments, opened your homes for accommodation, or supported the project by purchasing a print.  Your support is very helpful in providing encouragement, feedback, and enthusiasm.  Further up and farther in!

My friend Hope brought a very expensive bottle of champagne that was used to christen the Airstream!

the only grainy photo that exists!

the result of shattered glass…

What a beautiful group of ladies adorns the airstream couch (from left: steph, allie, krystin, and Emily).  I hope this can be repeated throughout the trip (by the same four I mean)!

Does anyone have more pictures to share from the party? I was so busy, I forgot to take photos!

I’d like to recap and call out some people who were an incredible help in getting on the road.

Two weeks ago Matt and I traveled down to his hometown in Albemarle, North Carolina. There, Matt’s father, Rick Burris, donated a set of tires to the Airstream and hours of work by his shop crew. Their help and knowledge was invaluable.

how many people does it take to fix an Airtream?

Rick Burris in the Burris Tire office. His father, pictured on the wall, started the business. Thanks for all your help Rick!

Here is Kevin, auto-electrician-extraordinaire. He wired up the Airstream and trailer hitch in a matter of hours. Thanks for your help and for buying a print Kevin. You know we will be calling when we break down!

The official shop crew that helped so much. From left: Steven, Kevin, Boo, Alan, and Eric. Thanks guys!

I’d also like to thank Matt’s sister and brother-in-law for taking their only day off and helping us to clean and fix the Airstream. You all are so generous! Here, Julie braves the ammonia fumes and give the trailer a scrub-down.

Dan the man working on the Airstream seals. Danny took his only day off to help us on the trailer, then spent an hour after work the next day to do some welding on the bumper.

Here’s the whole Burris crew in the shop. Matt is being sent off with a good support team behind him! Thanks Rick, Sue, Julie, and Steven.

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On Thursday afternoon we received the WVO conversion kit from Golden Fuel Systems. What should have been a 2-day installation turned into a maddening 4-day challenge to get the system installed because we were not sent adequate directions. Nonetheless, we had a genius behind us all the way, Mr. Wheeler Gum himself:

If it were not for Wheeler, and a few others, we never would have figured out the installation. Wheeler worked endlessly for almost three days to help us leave in time.

Our other savior was Mr. Dan Raudenbush (left). He swept in at the point of despair and laid out a diagram for the wiring. Thanks Dan!

Mr. Tom Hughes devoting his whole weekend to help us. Thanks Tom!

I can’t remember who took this picture of me covered in veggie oil.

The crew doing some problem solving.

Another big thank you goes out to Emily Gum and Hope Sowell. Emily shared her husband with us for three days and did some beautiful upholstery work for our couch. If you may remember from before, Hope re-plumbed the Airstream and put in more hours than what we traded for. Thanks for your knowledge and work and sharing your tools!

Lastly, I have to thank the two people who really assisted in helping during the last few months of preparation. Jeff Erkelens and Joey Conover gave me a free house to live in for a few months and let me park the Airstream on the street for its two-month slumber in Charlottesville. They let me store my personal items, use a bathroom, and borrow tools. Thanks Jeff and Joey for your generosity, flexibility, and support!

I’m writing from the backwoods of North Carolina, in the middle of soy bean country. That’s our truck and Airstream trailer sitting in Matt’s front yard. (Note the blue square. Basically we have some more work to do..) There is plenty of open sky and sweet tea down here.

Have we officially left on our trip yet? No-far from it! Well, not too far. We have 7 days to take off and right now Matt and I are in Albemarle, N.C. visiting with his family, packing up Matt’s belongings, and doing some detail work to the Airstream. What does one do with spare time in North Carolina? Why shoot guns of course!

Matt’s brother Steven took us out into the soy bean fields to do some target practice. The family is trying to convince me to take a gun on the trip. It’s a hard decision, but I imagine we’ll meet some characters on the road where a little bit of intimidation could come in handy.  I met a guy last week who traveled in an RV all across America for three years and he said he would never go on a trip without a gun.  I think I’ve been living a sheltered life in Charlottesville because it has been years since I’ve ever felt threatened.   Personally, I’d rather be shot than shoot someone else.

The past week has involved lots of preparation for the trip. There’s been goodbye meals, visits from friends, and Airstream work with Matt. Here’s a sample from the week:

Dark skies on I-81.

Dinner with gracious hosts Cameron and Rose. The best meal I’ve had in weeks (and all local)!

My dear friend Gregory comes for a visit and lunch at Mel’s–Charlottesville’s best diner/burger joint!

I had the fun experience of helping The Mr. and Mrs. Gum with their soon-to-be very impressive, traditional wood working bench. It’s a shame we’ll be leaving before it is completed. If you want fine furniture made, Wheeler Gum is your man. Besides, with a name like that, don’t you just want to meet him!

The very serious gluing process….

Hope Sowell saves the day with her impressive and patient plumbing skills!

Matt on the roof of the Airstream, riveting a new panel from where we removed the TV antenna. Look at those arms!

The neighborhood painter has taken a liking to the Airstream. Edward showed up about two weeks ago and has since completed a number of paintings. Last week he drove up in his eight-year old Honda hybrid and painted the Airstream and his car together. He told me they were the two most over-the-top futuristic things on the road and they had to be painted together. I’m giving him the old appliances from the Airstream and he’s giving me a painting. I love doing trades with artists. Edward paints all over Charlottesville and always wears headphones when doing so. He had a teepee in his backyard until a few months ago.

We’re in N.C. until Monday and then we return to Charlottesville for the vegetable oil truck conversion, continued preparations, and then a send off party on the 30th! Please come out and join us at 817 King St. Starts at 6pm. Bring us a good novel or mix CD for the road.

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.

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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!