Layers... The World Free Fall Convention is an interesting phenomenon. A grass roots organization that comes together each year, layer by layer. During the course of the year, a few people within the planning committee stay in contact with each other, talking about what they liked about the last years convention, what may have made it run more smoothly, or what they have each heard from various skydivers across the country. Sometimes some of us just get together to shoot the breeze, or share a beer. In July it starts in earnest, the first couple of groundspeople show up mid month, after having put out a plea for any available hands to come and help. It is always interesting to be in Rantoul during this period, and see who may decide to show up. This year we were lucky! (Aren’t we always?!) Most of our regulars were there to help, and we acquired a new helper all the way from France. FrenchPatrick! A skydiver who asked over the internet “how do I get in contact with someone from the WFFC?” A wonderful layer to add to the already intriguing combination of skydivers, pilots, whuffos and locals who come to help us spend 10 days setting up the WFFC tent city. As the first couple of days progress, you will wonder how in the world it will all be done in time for our ‘family’ to arrive in 10 days, but as the pace picks up, the troops start to swell, and work all day/party all night becomes the theme. Pretty soon vendors, our next layer, begin to arrive with trucks loaded with all kinds of goodies to fill the tents that have been steadily filling the grounds. RV’s dot the landscape, and everyone who shows up asks “what can I do to help?” Wednesday before the Convention begins is WAY cool! By now hundreds of people are here, the hugging between old friends and new makes you so proud to be part of this family that it’s hard to see straight! Not only is the swoop pond full of water, but the hot tubs, and swimming pools that have been brought in are starting to fill up, too. Golf cart rentals have begun, and the ensuing revelry brings thoughts of keystone cops to mind. Tonight is a good night to get a full nights sleep, cuz it is sure to be the last full night for 10 days! Thursday! Registration opens and the ladies in the registration tent are queens in their realm! Skydivers who have been with us for years bring wine, chocolate and roses to their beloved queens who dote on the attention. It’s crazy busy, and the adrenaline is running in puddles all over the tent! The final layer of the Convention has arrived! The reason we do all of these crazy hours! The essence of our being! Our skygods, well, no matter their proficiency, they are all gods to us, we are here to worship them in the sky! Tomorrow morning the ‘first’ loads are going up, but what are those planes doing in the air right now? Hmm, skydivers, planes, well, ok there may be a ‘demo’ load or two showing off for the press. Better hurry, you may be able to make one of them... Newcomers always ask if they will be welcomed as a part of the family. Just as in any other family, the new members are what we live for! But what is amazing is that they will make the transition to wizened members of the WFFC before the ten days are over! Our really experienced skydivers have taken the time to show them the ropes, do a few jumps with them, maybe they’ve been initiated into one of the many skydiving brotherhoods. They pet the skydiving dog on the head as she passes by, and say “how’s it going Cara?” as she gently nudges their hand. Yup, we all know each other and each others’ dogs before it’s all over. We all love being part of the WFFC, no matter which layer we are. It takes every part of every layer to make the magic for which the WFFC is renown. The ten days that we occupy the Village of Rantoul will be a blur for most of us, as the Convention is incredibly busy, tremendously fun, and unbelievably lively. The saddest part of the whole darn thing is that the same layers that arrive, also have to leave, and layer by layer, tent by tent, plane by plane the WFFC is dismantled. The same two members of the grounds crew who start the convention are the last two to leave. The crazy layers of this fabulous patchwork quilt known as the World Free Fall Convention are now just a wonderful memory. The Rantoul National Air Center is quiet, all remnants of the Convention are put away, and the airport is returned to the little ground squirrels. Thanks for being a part of the WFFC 2004, we hope to see you all at our next family reunion in August 2005!