Information About the Dam Gathering

The Dam Gathering of the Tears is the longest-running Teardrop gathering in the world. It's held the first week-end in May in a beautifully wooded campground on the banks of Lake Shasta in far Northern California. It's attended by the best & nicest people in the world!

We had eight Teardrops at the first Gathering in 1994, on the banks of the Sacramento River just below Shasta Dam (hence the Dam Gathering). We outgrew that site in 1996, then moved to Antlers Campground on the shores of the Sacramento River arm of the lake, and now have 70-80 Teardrops regularly.

We welcome all Teardrop enthusiasts. If you do not have a Teardrop, by all means come anyway and camp in a tent or whatever you have... we'll have a space for you. If you're new to Teardropping or intend to build one of your own, bring a camera or videocam and feast on all the ideas and innovations. "Other" tiny travel/camping trailers are always welcome, as well, but please understand & expect to be parked separately (and there's a whole other loop for full-size RVs).

CAMP SITES... there are no reservations (so do not call Antlers). Most of the campsites will accomodate from two to six Teardrops comfortably. Long-time attendees tend to stay at the same camp sites yearly, saving space for their friends. So far, this has not been a problem, as the whole gorgeous campground is ours for the Gathering, with lots of space.

The camp sites with electricity, however, are limited, and on a strict first-come, first-servered basis. If you arrive early and get one of these sites, you may hold space within your campsite only for friends. If you need electricity for medical reasons, let us know by April 25th.

CAMPING DATES & WHO TO PAY...

... If you arrive early, pay at Antlers office for all nights through Wed, 5/2
... If you stay later, pay at Antlers office for all nights starting Sun, May 6.
... The folks at Antlers will extend the Gathering's special rate for you. Thank them!
... You will pay us, through registration, for the nights of 5/3, 5/4, and 5/5.

Our registration tent will go up on Wednesday. At that point, we ask that everyone sign in on the Arrival List clipboard, giving arrival date and campsite number.

We'll post the hours we'll be there to check you in and give you your pre-ordered T-Shirts. Also info about what will be happening at the Gathering (and when) as well as interesting things to see and places to go, such as Castle Crags, Dunsmuir, Lake Shasta Caverns and Shasta Dam.

The "Friday Night Dutch Oven Sampler" returns, again, and since last year's "Next Cast Iron Chef" festivities was such a hit, we will continue it, as well. So all you D.O. aficionados, be ready to cook your hearts out! And the rest of us will come taste what it's all about. Mmmmmmm.

The "Saturday Night Campfire & Chili Cookout" is pot luck for accompanying dishes. If you wish to contribute to the huge over-the-fire chili pot, your contribution must be freshly prepared or canned. (Please, no "hot stuff") This is when we all gather together around a huge campfire for fun, fellowship, and food. We have a huge "Dutch Raffle", hand out awards, enjoy the feast, and have a rousing old-fashioned what-we've-come-to-be-known-for "Dam Good Time!"

 

We have marina access to the lake (whether the water is high or low) and great fishing, so bring your gear, kayak, and canoe! The camp rest rooms have flush toilets and warm showers.

We always hope for sunny weather, and usually get it, but it has been known to rain. Be prepared.

Antlers RV Park & Campground is located off Interstate 5, approximately 25 miles north of Redding and 35 miles south of Mt Shata. Take the Antlers/Lakehead exit. Go east one block to the stop sign, turn right, and follow the Teardrop signs.

UPDATE!

We had a very special guest at last year's Dam Gathering ... Mary Vandusen from Arizona! She's a nationally famous ceramics artist (and teardropper, BTW!) who has become widely known in the Southwest teardrop community for her stunning Teardrop-related and Gathering-specific commemorative mugs, cups, bowls, plates, and even cookie jars:

We're hoping she returns this year and have quite a few of her items with the 19th Dam Gathering inscription on them, so if you want to start your collection (or even add to it!) of these fine pieces of very utilitarian artwork (I use mine almost every day!), don't miss this opportunity ... come prepared to purchase one (or several)!