For those of you gentle readers fondly familiar with Her Royal Highness (aka my daughter), you will not be surprised to discover that when HRH decided to marry, she wanted a multi-day music festival with a ceremony tucked inside. And a river float. And lots of guests, food and endless libations. Iron Chef and I expressed our joy and congratulations, and then reverted to our time honored parenting technique of waiting for the good senses to eventually waft HRH’s way. This technique had worked approximately zero times in the past, and this instance would prove to be no statistical anomaly. We had become accidental promoters and sponsors of what came to be known as Knudelfest.

Her Royal Highness and her groom-to-be were the Fest’s visionaries and organizers, equal parts wedding planners, outfitters, and talent booking company. That is, in between working and studying full-time, and sniffing out any available adventuring opportunity.

After months of sorting through a mind boggling assortment of logistics, the couple brought Knudelfest to Podunk. Attendees were a beautiful array of river dirtbags, ski bums, and Podunk pioneers. The price of admission was steep — a very highly likelihood that you would be conscripted to support one or all of the festivities.

“You there! We need a florist. Sir, can you turn your property into a campground? Anyone know how to turn this pile of lunchmeat and cheese into a charcuterie river? We saw one on Pinterest. How do you feel about laundry? You, in the vest, you seem like you would make an excellent bartender. Remember that photo contest you won…”

What began as a ludicrous Herculean task transformed into a beautiful, collective effort. The Hive made all the many, ridiculously many events happen, and happen in a way that appeared seamless to the naked eye. In the moment, Knudelfest felt like a cascade of trust falls — I held my breath, closed my eyes, and when I opened them, someone was always there to catch all of it.

In the end, the wedding and the accompanying marathon of merriment were glorious. Her Royal Highness found lasting love, and we all learned that when you audaciously dream up something like Knudelfest, you don’t need good sense — you just need the right community to make the dream reality.