It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of Deb’s World, Suzy Turner, Rosie Amber, Within a World of My Own, and me. Guess what? Leslie is back! She’s now blogging on Substack. We have another possibility but are still waiting to hear definitively. Debbie chose this month’s theme, and I can’t wait to read her post. As I’m writing this, we are in the hospital. Nigel’s hip replacement revision didn’t quite go as planned. I’ve already written tomorrow’s Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot so you can read more about it there if you want (but not until after 9:30pm). I write that only to say I am behind on reading and commenting on others’ blogs. So, I beg your forgiveness for that if you are a blogger. I love the Global Writing Challenge because it’s always fun to see what others come up with…the responses rarely repeat. On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you’d like to join us, here are the prompts for the next couple of months:
- April – Dreams
- May – Water
Ok, so festivals…this is probably going to be the absolute shortest post I have written in years. I am, as most of you know, an extroverted introvert. I really don’t like going to places, parties, etc, but once I’m there, I’m probably going to be OK. That means I didn’t ever really attend any kind of big old festivals. But, I will give this one caveat. I surely do wish I’d been old enough to have gone to Woodstock! I think that would have been something…except for that introversion…I would probably have been sitting in my car at the far end of the road and only heard a distant roar from the festival!
My hometown…
I grew up in a very small place. When I was younger, I think the population was around 5,000-6,000. We didn’t exactly roll up the sidewalks at sundown, but there wasn’t exactly a happening nightlife there, either. But, we did have one big thing each year. We had an almost week long event called “Old Settlers.” Now, if I had more time, I’d dig into the history of it because I’m sure there is some. But, what I was most interested in were the rides that came into town. The main street (though it wasn’t Main Street) was blocked off as were the first blocks of some of the side streets. There were all kinds of rides, kiddie rides as well as adult rides and the in-between rides. I’m sure some of you have the same kind of thing happening in your towns and cities. These people would come in one night and, over the course of the night and next day, set up those rides. Now, I shudder to think about riding a Ferris Wheel set up like that, but I loved it back then.
A little more…
Another part of Old Settlers was the BINGO tent. I loved that because I love to play BINGO. I need to get Nigel to take me to play it sometime. Anyway, it wasn’t free so I didn’t get to play for hours, but I did play a couple of times. I don’t remember if I ever won anything, though. And, the food…oh, my goodness! There was this guy who always set up on the northwest corner of the courthouse square (which was really quite a lovely place) and sold corndogs. There was always a long, long line for them. That was really the only food I liked. Nigel liked the lemonade shakeups, but it was just a corndog for me, thank you very much. On the Thursday of that week, the “old settlers” would register, and an announcement would be made of the oldest person there who had registered. I don’t think they got anything other than recognition.
Finally…
The festival ran from Tuesday through Saturday night (really very early Sunday morning). On Friday, there would be the big parade. There were floats of all kinds, representing different businesses, clubs (my kids’ swim club always participated), and just because people wanted to be on a float. Now, remember, I’m in Indiana, so there were all the tractors and farm machinery, too! I mean, honestly, if you’ve seen one John Deere, you’ve pretty much seen them all. Then, there would be firetrucks and such. The local high school bands would parade down the street, too. The route was fairly long, but I don’t really know in length. What I do know is that, for years, the band from my high school had to march down that route in the sunlight in July in wool uniforms…heavy, heavy woolen uniforms. There would also be the requisite convertible cars with the 4-H queen and her court riding down the street. That parade was a big deal in our community. For some goofy reason, we seemed to always sit on the east side of the street which meant we were facing the sun as it was going down.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I know I didn’t really do this prompt justice, and I apologize to all of you, especially Debbie as it was her suggestion. We did have another festival of a sort. Since my hometown was also the county seat, we had the 4-H fair there, too, because we had the 4-H fairgrounds. We would go sometimes with the kids when they were little. They loved going into the barns for just a little bit because they were smelly (the barns, not the kids, though they might have been, too). I liked going into the buildings where they had the flower arrangements, sewing projects, and stuff like that. And, those buildings were air conditioned! So, can we talk? Does your town have a festival similar to Old Settlers? Or, did you go to different kinds of festivals? Were any of you at Woodstock? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
What others are saying…
Debbie says, “Debbie’s favourite festival is Tumbafest, an annual festival of music, food and wine in her small hometown of Tumbarumba. It’s gearing up to celebrate 30 years in 2027 which is an amazing achievement given many festivals are folding after just a few years.’”
Suzy “writes about why she’s never been much of a festival person, despite living in a country that loves them.”
Sally “talks about the Winter Carnival that was and the one that wasn’t.”
Rosie wonders “what is it about festivals that draw people to them?”
Leslie writes, “It’s almost time for El Paso’s annual Poppy Fest. But will the guest of honor make an appearance at this year’s celebration?”
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your posts about snow, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
Hi Marsha, there’s absolutely no need to apologise! I enjoyed your post but have a few questions – (remember I’m on the other side of the world to you) –
– what does 4-H mean?
– what’s a corndog ( a hotdog?)
I sincerely hope all is well with Nigel and please don’t think you have to read and comment on other posts as you have a lot going on in your life at the moment, everyone understands!
Take care x
Thanks, Debbie! You know, when I was writing about 4H and corndogs I wondered if people would be confused about what they are. 4H is a club for kids, actually, it’s a lot of different clubs based upon what they’re doing. It’s I think our country side kind of thing. But it was a lot of fun to go to. Now, a corn dog is when you take a hotdog, put a stick up the middle of it, dip it in a corn batter, kind of like cornbread, and then deep fry it! It is amazing! I am hoping to get caught up on all the blogging stuff this weekend. Thanks for the grace.
Debbie, if you ever get the chance, you must try a corn dog! It’s certainly not gourmet food, but it’s pretty amazing festival or fair food.
I agree! You just need to have them fresh and hot!
Oh I love festivals! We ate going in July again with friends. Music festival that is. 4 days! I also love the ones you describe. Especially in the UK. Our village exists 1300 years this year and hole year round there are all sorts of activities, love it.
Thanks, Nancy! Somehow, I just knew you were a fan of festivals. 1300 years, wow! I don’t think there’s anything in the states that’s 1300 years old other than the mountains. And we certainly can’t claim those. I do love the UK and understand your love for it, too.
We have a carnival in our town although it has got pretty small over the years. Floats parade round a route and the funfair comes to town.
That sounds like a wonderful little carnival to me, Rosie. I don’t think the town we live in now has it they are like that. They do have a farmers market every Thursday during the summer. Thanks, Rosie!
I’m not a festival kind of person either; we have a local county fair that I used to go to each year a kid to ride those “set up overnight” rides but don’t think I have been at all in years and years. I’ve certainly never been to a music festival.
Thanks, Joanne! You and I sound a lot alike.
I’m not a festival person. I have never been to a festival where you need to camp out, that’s for sure. Woodstock documentaries make me cringe because of that. I need my bed (and of course I wrote “bead” at first, lol)! And crowds – a big no for me.
We have the “Maientag” each year (Maien is an old word for green branches, not May in this case) which has been celebrated since 1650 with a few rare exceptions. It’s a mix of historical parade (the best part), school classes in costumes (I was an adorable Little Red Riding Hood in 1971 which is easy for me to say as there are no pictures), culture clubs, bands, etc. and there’s a four day carnival with rides and a beer tent.
Maientag sounds like lots of fun. I am sure you were an absolutely adorable Red Riding Hood! Yeah, those muddy parts and the toilet facilities would have turned me off at Woodstock. I mean, it’s easy for me to say now, right? Not a fan of huge crowds, either.
The nearby towns to us still have annual town fairs where there’s rides, food, etc. But what I love more are the local art fairs. There’s nothing better on a summer day strolling through and looking at art!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I completely forgot about art fairs! There are several here, and I went to a couple of them this year. They are amazing and wonderful places to find great jewelry.
We aren’t big festival people (but did you know that Rob’s brothers’ went to Woodstock?).
We did check out the state fair here in AZ when we moved here, but don’t need to do it again, LOL
XOOX
Jodie
Wow! That is so cool that Robb’s brothers went to see Woodstock! As much as I would’ve wanted to go, I know I would have been lurking at the edges and missed the whole experience. The Indiana State fair is a big deal, but I haven’t been there in years.
Hi, Marsha – I used to perform with a free arts group at the “Dally in the Alley” annual grassroots festival when it started out about 50 years ago; it’s a big deal now with paid admission. The annual Ann Arbor Art Fair in Michigan is huge and a wonder to wander through. (You should go with me sometime. 😉 I used to love going to festivals all over and especially the Techno music festival in Detroit (where techno originated.) But my husband doesn’t do those things; he’s a very serious guy. So other than going out to hear new music with a girl friend or to concerts with my sisters, I haven’t indulged in the festivals in decades. Your hometown festivals remind me of the Michigan State Fair, which unfortunately is now defunct. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks, Angie. I would love to go to a festival with you. I think we would have a lot of fun. I love art fairs. I forgot to mention that I didn’t even think about it. did Indiana State fair is still going quite strong. It’s sad that the Michigan State stopped.
Lovely reminiscing. I think you did do it justice – and thanks also for the heads up on next month.
What’s 4-H? Will have to google.
Bluesfest just got cancelled and I’m devastated. It’s hard enough to get international acts here, so that was a big draw and a really great holiday for us.
I’m so sadden by the news.
Thank you, Lydia! I’m so sorry your festival was canceled. I don’t think the town we live in now has any. 4-H Is an organization around homemaking, farming, the old way of life I guess. It’s a big deal and many rural areas of the Midwest.
So sorry that things didn’t go as planned. Sending prayers. I remember going to the Wisconsin State Fair with family. Cream puffs as big as your head! lol!
Thank you, Kathrine! It didn’t go as planned, and yet, I’m so glad the bacteria was found before the surgery. God’s plan, right? Oh, now I’m hungry for a cream puff!
Marsha, I would be sitting with you in the car at the far end lol! I sometimes wonder if I’m also an introverted extrovert because I dread those kinds of things too, but once I’m there, it’s usually not so bad! Unless there are too many people, then I hate it!
Michael and I tried a corndog the first time we visited the States (because we’d seen them on the telly so many times) but we thought they were horrible LOL!! Maybe it wasn’t authentic enough!!!
I hope Mike is ok!! Thinking of you both.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Hahaha!!! I would welcome you there, my friend! It’s so weird to be that way, isn’t it? And, at the museum, once I start talking with people, I find it hard to break away from them. I think what made these corndogs so wonderful was that they were made fresh right in front of you. Now, you have to remember I was a teenager when I was eating them, too! Mike is getting better bit by bit. Thanks, my friend!
This was such a sweet post about life in a small town!! My sister lives in a small Tennessee town and they still enjoy their share of parades with convertibles and homemade-ish floats, farm equipment and in her case, the senior Ms. Tennessee rather than the 4-H queen. A taste of real Americana. Not sure there is much of that left in our country.
Love that you mentioned corn dogs and Sally mentioned pronto pups. Haven’t thought of them in years. Wouldn’t mind having one right now!!
Thinking of you and your hubs. Praying that these next few weeks make all the difference and Nigel is soon ready for the surgery.
Thank you, Leslie! Our new “hometown” has lots of different events, but the parking situation is horrendous. The downtown area is really just an intersection with everything happening on one of the streets of that intersection. So, you have to walk and walk and walk. We just can’t do that at the moment. Thank you, my friend, for the prayers. They are powerful, right?
I actually really enjoyed this post, Marsha. I could just about picture the Old Settlers Festival. I too love a good corn dog, though it’s a rare treat. Maybe that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. The most recent festival I’ve been too…and it has been a few years…was the Raspberry Days in Garden City, Utah (near Bear Lake). The best part was the raspberry milkshakes!
Thank you, Christie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and that you love a good corndog, too! I haven’t had one for decades, unfortunately! Raspberry milkshakes sound delicious! Actually raspberry anything sounds yummy!
I have eaten quite a few corndogs in my life since I worked at Sonic Drive-In during high school with a 50% discount. These days I don’t eaten corndogs even at the state fair, though I’m sure I’d enjoy one! Your post brought back memories of marching with the high school band in wool uniforms in all months/weather – there was more than one time some people got heat exhaustion during summer parades. Small town festivals are fun. I had sort of forgotten the one that happened in my home town, which was nature/gardening oriented rather than rides/games oriented.
Thanks, Sally! I always felt so badly for those kids in band. The last few years we lived up north, the school/band director had relented. The kids were able to wear shorts and tees…not quite as dramatic, but definitely better for the kids’ health. You know, I also forgot an art fair they’d hold on the courthouse square. I think it was juried. I bought my wine bottle tree there. I don’t know if I’d eat a corndog again or not. I think I’d have to see it made in front of me. I have never really liked hot dogs in the first place.