By Brice Burge According to the band, it was the usual closing song at the end of their set. The Circle Song – a fun tune to get people dancing together regardless of skill level or age – was Cabin Fever’s traditional goodbye to fans and festival goers alike.

But this was no traditional goodbye for the traditional string band, as Tom Fordyce left the stage for the final time at the Grand Marais Music & Crafts Festival on Saturday, August 12. An original member of the band that played 38 of 41 festivals, the circle was filled with tears and hugs for the musician.

“All good things come to an end, but the years together were pretty good,” he said after the show.

Fordyce recently turned 75, leading him to thoughts of retirement.

It’s been a good run for the vocalist and harmonica player who helped start the band in 1984.

Cabin Fever was named after the old Grand Marais Cabin Fever festival, filled with snow sculpture competitions and snowshoe softball games. It was also the first time Fordyce came together with the original band members to play, creating the moniker.

Over the years, the names changed many times. Festivals came and went, and the businesses changed ownership. New members joined the band, but Fordyce said he is the last living member of the original Cabin Fever.

While the details may be different, the Grand Marais Music & Crafts Festival provided a chance of stability for Fordyce and Cabin Fever. The band didn’t just take their check and run, but often camped with festival goers. Participating in decades worth of jam circles and singalongs, Fordyce was part of the stability of one of the festival’s most endearing qualities: coming together through music and friendship.

“It meant the world to me to have people come back year after year to see us play. I’ve made so many friends and met so many new people up here, it’s amazing,” he said. “Everybody is so, so nice up here.”

As festival organizers started getting this year’s lineup together, they called Fordyce in the hopes of bringing Cabin Fever back one more time. He said that the opportunity was too good to pass up, but provided an overwhelming experience for his last set.

“I thought (the set) was pretty good. Got a bit emotional with some of the songs I sang because of the memories of the ones that have passed away,” Fordyce said.

“It’s emotional, but I did not break down on the stage.”

While this might be the last time Fordyce plays with Cabin Fever, he has not closed the door on a guest appearance from time to time if the situation lined up. More importantly, he looks to make frequent appearances at events in his beloved Grand Marais.

“I’ll be back, not as a musician, but personally,” Fordyce said.

“This is the spot. There’s too many memories to not come back.