The 2011 Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis festival in Milan, Michigan was once again plagued by rain storms. As the winds shifted from the east to the west the rain came. It rained all day Wednesday, most of Thursday and Friday, and the festival had to be moved inside. Saturday was not much better with the threat of rain all day, but it held off until the evening. Despite the rough weather conditions the festival went on as planned. Lots of great music and a very enthusiastic, but small crowd had a great time.
It has been a very difficult couple of years trying to get this festival off the ground. We have had a lot of support from the bands that have played the festival. The fans that have weathered the storm with us have been the best. We just haven’t had cooperation from Mother Nature.
We are planning on continuing with the festival. I find it is very rare for a child with Cystic Fibrosis, or any other life threatening disease to give up. Why should we? This is not just a bluegrass festival, it is a celebration of the advancements made in the treatments of CF. There is no cure, and without events to raise money for research there never will be. I’m not willing to accept that. We will continue our efforts and do our best to build a great festival that helps add longevity to lives of those with CF.
Thank you to all that have supported our festival.
Jimmy Kittle
Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis
