PORT TOWNSEND — In what has become a tradition over the last nine years, the Andy Mackie Music Foundation Family Music Festival and Scottish Highland Games will fill the Labor Day weekend with music, games and a Mackie signature “sport” — instrument-building.
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. Monday (Labor Day) at Memorial Field, 550 Washington St., in downtown Port Townsend.
Admission is free, with donations requested. Those attending are asked to contribute whatever they can afford.
About 150 performers will play a variety of music.
The performers’ lineup is fluid, and some segments resemble one huge open mic.
For children only
The Scottish Highland Games are for children. No registration is necessary. Children from toddlers to teens can toss plastic pipes, throw hammers and rocks, run races and play other games.
Although the Labor Day Mackie festival is a tradition, this particular one is unique because the North Olympic Peninsula’s “music man” is planning to leave the area.
The festival is part of a long goodbye for Mackie, 71, who announced earlier this year that he would leave in the fall.
Mackie founded the Andy Mackie Music Foundation, which aims to bring music to every child possible, out of his home between Chimacum and Quilcene, .
He has taught some 12,000 kids to play the harmonica, mostly in public schools, and has provided instruction in instrument building, from one-string dulcimer-type instruments to rudimentary guitars.
Moving to Michigan
But Mackie’s health has worsened. He has suffered heart problems for many years.
He plans to move in October to Michigan to be close to his daughter.
“This year’s festival won’t be a whole lot different than in the past,” Mackie said, “except people know that I will be leaving, and if they want this to continue, they will need to step up and do some of the work.”
He hopes to see both the foundation and instrument-building operation continue without him.
Woodshop operations in the Chimacum and Quilcene schools can function on their own, since Mackie has provided the template, he said.
Festival volunteers are still needed for this weekend, he said.
“We are still looking for people to help run the instrument-building workshops,” Mackie said Thursday.
“Anyone can do this, even if they’ve never built an instrument before.” There is also a last-minute opportunity for people to contribute items of value for the silent auction.
“People know what to bring to this,” said Mackie, when asked to specify what people should contribute.
“I’ve had people bring in an old violin worth thousands of dollars, that they found in their attic.”
Most of the proceeds from the festival will go to Mackie’s foundation, with a portion allocated to Habitat for Humanity.
While Mackie won’t be around to plan the details of the 2011 festival, he will more than likely come for a visit at some point over the summer, he said.
Could change date
One change in next year’s festival could be the date, he added.
“I’m starting to think that Labor Day might not be the best time to do this,” he said.
“A lot of the kids who want to play can’t participate, since their parents often choose that weekend to go camping or go out of town since it’s the last weekend of the summer.”
At first glance, the festivals seem to be sparsely attended, usually with 200 or 300 participants at any one time.
But there is a cumulative effect, when the total attendance figures are considered.
Mackie said he usually takes in around $10,000 at each festival, and doesn’t expect this year to be any different.
“There is a whole lot of music and fun and entertainment and games for the whole family,” he said,
“You can come and give money or not, it’s all about having a good time.”
For more information about the event or to contribute, phone Mackie at 360-316-9556 or e-mail matt@mattsircely.com.
For more information about the foundation, see www.andymackiemusic.org/.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
