feather fiesta

Saturday was the annual Feather Fiesta Days event in our little town.  It's a combination parade/chili cook-off/car show/craft fair extravaganza that brings out people from every crevice of the town.  If people-watching is your "thing," I suggest arriving early, bringing a comfortable chair and a cold drink, and watching til your heart's content, because the variety of people who will pass in front of you is...well...entertaining?  I saw things that would shame the People of Walmart.

But aside from the sometimes shocking clothing choices, it was a good time.  We took the girls to the parade and Laci discovered the joy of salt water taffy.  Mia willingly sat in her stroller for at least an hour, chomping on Cheerios, and kicking her feet excitedly when the marching bands would pass by.  She really did enjoy herself.

  

I took my camera in hopes of capturing the essence of our small town parade.  I have not attended in years, and I have to say, I was disappointed to see that there were very few floats worth a picture. It is time to step it up people!  So, I took pictures of my sweet girls, which I love to do anyway, and I did take a picture of the first fire engine in the parade.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I captured what looks to be a sweet little family moment in the reflection.  How fun is that?

The girls got tired of the parade long before it was over.  Laci and her cousins played on some one's well-manicured front lawn, because these country kids are oblivious to things like "yards" and "boundaries."

We attempted going to the food area and browsing the car show, but after walking half a mile, dripping in sweat and with two tired girls, we headed back to the truck, stopped at Sonic, and went home for naps.  I would have loved to look at the old cars, but I think I was more ready to go home than anyone else.

One of the fun things about Feather Fiesta is that it feels like a mini-reunion of all the people you've known for years but rarely see.  We ran into some old friends that I only "see" online these days, and it was fun to show off our kids and reminisce a little.  It is likely that we won't catch up with each other again until next year, because that is just how life goes.  So, if you'd like to see us next year, we'll probably be somewhere between First and Second Avenue in the shade.  By then, I will have forgotten how hot is gets and how I really hate being in crowds, and it will be super fun.