For three years now, patrons of the Greyfox festival have been hearing of the possibility of the Rossvoss Farm in Ancramdale, NY being sold, disrupting the 30+ year run on the Hill for this major northeast summer festival. Each year, patrons held their breath as they pondered the possibility that this could be the last year on the beloved Hill of the farm. Greyfox has become an event where many attendees consider the Greyfox community a home away from home due to the wonderful friendships that are formed and renewed each year on the hill.

The rumors have now become a reality as the Farm was sold in early January to a neighboring party who has no interest in carrying on the Greyfox tradition. The Rossvoss family sold the "Hill" acreage to satisfy inheritance taxes assessed after the death of the elder Rossvoss two summers ago. Although promises were made last July for one more year, Mary Daub, the festival sponsor, would not allow that promise to stand in the way of the sale taking place. It was too important to the Rossvoss family who have been behind the festival for 30+ years graciously disrupting the farm's normal rhythm to host the event.

The Greyfox community is buzzing since the official announcement was made. The large majority of the community is behind the Greyfox organization and is confident that an appropriate site will be found. A few dissidents seemingly want to be in on the decision making and are feeling left in the dark as organizers are not disclosing the day to day activities surrounding the search for a new site. Concerns about the remnants of debris being left behind in the woods have been raised with many community members pledging support to the organizers to help with vacating the premises and cleaning up the surrounding woods. Others believe the move was inevitable as the patronage of Greyfox has grown exponentially and was quickly outgrowing the hill plus the liability of the hilly, muddy terrain on the Rossvoss Hill should be resolved with a new site. Nevertheless, there is no turning back and while adjustments will need to be made, the Greyfox community will assemble at its new home, wherever that may be on July 17 – 20th, 2008.

Let us all put our complete trust in the Greyfox organization. We shouldn't forget, they have more at stake than any of us do. This is a festival that they have nurtured and grown over the last several years. They have a stellar line up in place for 2008; that represents sunk costs that they likely cannot recoup if a suitable new home isn’t found. Believe it, they will find a home for which the Greyfox community will appreciate because without the patrons, they have nothing and everything they have build over these years would be lost. This organization is a professional team like any other business, let them do their jobs. Finding a new site is just the beginning of the work they have facing them. Mary D, Mary B, Lisa H, Chuck W and all the rest of your team thank you for your hard work in making Greyfox the wonderful experience it is regardless of the ground on which we will all gather.

For me and for many patrons, the memories of the days on the hill will last us a life time. We will recount events with laughter and tears of joy and merriment. New memories equally poignant will accumulate at our new home. It's funny, the first article I wrote on my Greyfox experience, I spoke of community. It was the largest single impression I had of Greyfox that very first year. How in the matter of a couple hours, a new community grew and came together. It was an amazing and awesome feeling. This communal feeling will not be broken by a new home, it will survive and grow and thrive. Life will go on at Greyfox with every breath and beat of the music.