Staying in MASS and waiting to see all the photos of the wonderful Rendezvous the special knives there

Really though, not a hint of sarcasm. I do hope one day I'll be able to attend but can't wait to see the photos. Have fun to everyone attending~
Dang, I wish you could make it. I would love to meet you, period, but it would be grand to meet you
there.
As long as it's not open season on forum moderators, I might be able to make it.
Do pea shooters count?
I should be there! I'm greatly looking forward to it!!
And again I say: Booyah!
You could just come as Gary, Knife Nut!

It would be a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure. Besides, I read on GB&U everybody LOVES the Mods.
Your nose is growing. Nah, you're right, they love 'em
over there.

But what an honor, to meet Peregrin, who herds cats with such grace. (I sure hope you can make it, Gary!)
What goes on the other days? Thursday may be the only day that I can make it. I'll be commuting down, hopefully on the Harley since it's such a nice ride through the Allegheny National Forest.
Whoa, I missed this on my first quick pass through. It's a beautiful ride, even in a car coming up-ish from the southwest (Cook Forest, and all). I'm going to try to get in early Thursday afternoon; I look forward to meeting you.
(Other than asking everyone who looks like he
might have ridden in on a motorcycle, "Are you Jsega51?" how will I know you...?)
I was thinking about going, but I couldn't find much information on what it's all about. Is this essentially just a way for people to meet fellow GEC fans?
I was almost taken aback by how laid back this "event" is, the first time I went. There is no show, no pretense, no gimmick, just straightforward people making straightforward knives.
So in essence, yes, it's simply a set of circled dates on the calendar when one can not only meet the GEC folks and watch their work in progress (Thursday and Friday-- although GEC gives tours year 'round on every working day, except maybe Fridays?), but have a great(er) chance to interact with others who are drawn to the knives and the people.
The last two years, one Big Draw (beyond GEC Proper) has been Charlie Campagna himself, the man, the legend, the knives. He has debuted some of his TC barlow releases at this event, as well as displayed his collection of barlows and other knives and just generally
been Charlie. There are fewer exclamation marks in person, but the interactions are no less rewarding.

No idea what his plans are this year, other than I know he'll be there.
... I'm not sure it is possible to quantify the bounty that is ours, as knife knuts, that is due to the productive partnership of Charlie and Bill Howard. Me, I just like listening to them talk knives.
Charlie will be there again this year. Don't miss him, if only to say,
"Thank you."
My second year, I met Lyle (wlfryjr), who gave me an education that has transformed my appreciation for knives. I will never recover from being in the presence of Lyle, loving his (Farmer Jack) knives.
[An amazing opportunity, to talk knives with those who love and study and carry them in their hearts.... I'm sure it happens in other venues and via other orchestrated gatherings; for me, it has happened at GEC.]
Last year, GEC added a picnic to the proceedings (instead of just an endless supply of hot dogs and popcorn, and a gradual fading away toward the end, burping), providing a means for all of us-- GEC employees and visitors alike-- to eat and play together. Grand fellowship, and a lot of fun.
Translation: it is possible to attend GEC's "Rendezvous" and be very, very bored. For hours.
Or maybe intrigued for 45 minutes, and then Done.
Me, I rejoice in the opportunity to (re)connect with friends old and new over a shared passion-- the knives-- and marvel at the risks taken and excellence pursued, day by day, by the people who labor in what looks to be a knife factory
museum, but is an actual working knife factory(!).
Last year, on short time, I made people a(n unregretted) priority and missed more time
looking at the knives: right there in person, the displays of the knives produced in GEC's history, the array of available knives in GEC's "store" (which consists of three or more display cases and Chris Tucker riffling through stapled-together printouts of current inventory). This year, I'm aiming to be there a little longer.
So:
Good people making good knives, and inviting us to come see, and share, and play.
There is also Bob.
... It's a highlight of my year.
~ P.