25th Festival is a time for joyous reflection

The Festival at Sandpoint turns 25 years old in about a week.

For many of us, the annual sight of the white tent going up means it is officially the middle of summer in Sandpoint.

This year's lineup looks deliciously eclectic. Ticket sales are brisk and people are already discussing which food booth they will hit.

What's the difference between the FAS and other musical concerts that dot the landscape?

The Festival at Sandpoint simply is Sandpoint. From the gift of a poster from a local artist each year to the sight of newcomers visiting our concert series for the first time to the volunteers who serve ice cream or work the front gate.

The Festival is kind of like the musical version of our county fair — you can't help but see friends and neighbors, there's great food and everybody's in a good mood.

The Festival has had its economic challenges during the past decade and a half, to be sure. There were several times board members looked at each other and wondered how the Festival would dig out of a hole this time.

But survived — and flourished — it has.

As we prepare for the best season ever, let's take some time to really appreciate what it takes to produce this local masterpiece every year.

The volunteers, the board members, donors, the staff and everyone who buys tickets all need equal credit.

As the tent goes up this year let's really enjoy how lucky we are to be a part of the Festival at Sandpoint. It would also be a good time to recognize and embrace the part of us that is the Festival at Sandpoint.

? David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.