The original stage cover was showing its age – being that trendy dark orange color and subject to years of abuse. The Association was able to procure financing through some very generous grants. In fact, we delivered the brand new cover in time for the Blue Heron Festival that spring, and as I recall there was a Blues Festival later that summer that enjoyed the acoustics available from the design.

The design work shown here follows the original very closely. The masts and concrete foundation are permanent structures and integrating them in the replacement seemed prudent. The material selected was 27 ounce lacquer coated polyester – an extremely durable material with significant tensile strength as well. The slope sheds water very well and the structure is designed to withstand an incredible amount of wind.

As a testament to material strength, Waagmeester Canvas Products was called in to make repairs during the summer of 1997. It was obvious by the tracks that some daredevil vandal found the cover to be a challenging course for a mountain bike. The material and design easily withstood those acts, the repairs that were required resulted from vandals that cut through the material with a sharp knife or blade.