Thirteen years ago, on October 31, 2013, we opened the doors of what was then the smallest brewery in Georgia. Halloween to most people. Reformation Day to a couple of church history geeks who thought it was the perfect day to start something.
But the truth is it started earlier than that. It started with brew night every third Friday on ten acres out near Waleska. A few friends, a few homebrew kegs, and a lot of conversation. Then somebody brought a guitar. Somebody else brought a firepit. Before long we had a hundred people showing up and folks from far and near in Nick’s backyard. We never really planned any of it. People kept coming, so we kept making room.
I think about those nights every October.
A few years back I wrote that many of us had lost our cadence. The world had knocked us out of rhythm, and the loudest voice in the room was driving the narrative. I’d love to tell you that’s all behind us now. It isn’t. Most of us are still running on the treadmill, still performing for somebody, still a little too tired to just sit down with a friend or neighbor and enjoy the afternoon.
That’s why Cadence Fair matters to me more every year. It’s one weekend where nobody has to perform. You don’t have to be anything other than here.
And here is a lot this year. October 23rd through the 25th, free, across Reformation’s backyard and the Woodstock Arts Green. Friday kicks things off with live music and the Bloom Market artisans and finishes with Red Letter Blond’s (IYKYK) reunion show. Saturday the carnival rides start at 10am, the food trucks roll in, and our headliner Pony Bradshaw takes the Woodstock Arts stage at 7pm. For real, I’ve been dreaming for years of featuring the elite musical talent of North Georgia’s scene, and this year we’ve made it reality. Cadence Fair weekend is the best independent music lineup in North Georgia. Sunday we’ve got a cornhole tournament, Maker’s Mash vendors, and a Beer Mile, which is a questionable idea I fully endorse. We’re also pulling a few gifts out of the vault and dropping two releases from our specialty bourbon and whiskey series.
But honestly, the lineup isn’t what I’m most excited about. It’s the little stuff I’ll see from the corner of the yard. Kids sticky from a sweet treat, begging for one more ride. Somebody’s grandparents in camp chairs they hauled from the car. Old regulars who’ve been coming since the brew night days, now bringing their own kids. The out-of-town couple looking to relocate for work and finding the community of their dreams.
None of this happens without our crew, who work on this fair the entire year and will work harder this weekend than any weekend of the year, or without our sponsors, led by Path & Post who believe in this as much as we do. And it sure doesn’t happen without you. Thirteen years of you showing up is the whole story. Cadence Fair is our gift back to you.
So bring a chair. Bring your people. Come sit a while.
Wish you were here. Hope you will be.
CEO/Co-founder, Spencer Nix