It’s Sunday, the day after the (very rainy) week of the Dogwood Festival in Phoenixville (the 60th, in fact)…in our front yard. I wish I could give you all a bit of the sights, sounds, and smells of the week. You’ll just to have to settle for some sights and imagine the rest (think car horns from the rides, the wizz of fast rides, the hum of generators and the smells of deep fried everythings, cotton candy, pretzels, funnel cake, pork BBQ, hotdogs and burgers…you get the idea).
This is how Lydia spent most of the week. We made the mistake of buying her the $20 wristband to ride all night on Monday night. And, due to the fact that she’s far from 36″ in height, there were only 3 she could ride. And, frankly, they weren’t all that. Riding in Daddy’s arms is way more fun than bouncy cars.
Though she did talk about “bumblebees” all week. She went up to strangers shopping yesterday and just said “bumblebee.” They thought she saw one outside. I guess she did. But, she was talking about one about 6 feet long which she couldn’t ride…darn it. Who wouldn’t be talking about not being allowed to ride a 6 foot bumblebee?
Yesterday afternoon, the last day of the fair, doesn’t disappoint with a classic small town parade complete with marching bands, a dog on a skateboard, convertibles, boy and girl scouts, veterans, Ronald McDonald, the Dogwood Queen and her court. (Not Queen Lydia who would run away with the parade if we let her, I’m sure)
We always have a few mummers too. Welcome to Phili, folks, where grown men just do silly things like dress up with feathers and sparkly outfits and strutt around to music (literally–it’s called the mummers’ strutt) in the name of tradition.
That’s deep fried cookie dough and oreos for sale. Seriously. Too much goodness wrapped up in a bite. It might just kill you.
I opted for fried plantains with caramel instead from the Gautemalan restaurant’s stand. They might not look so good–but they were amazing. The fair may be gone today, but I’m thinking I may just walk down to their real restaurant and order some more of these babies.
Ashlyn enjoyed the ole classic frozen banana dipped in chocolate sitting on our front steps after the parade.
Told you it was in our front yard.
The older kids are fully engaged in the big-kid rides now–the Himalaya, the Hustler (love the name of that one), the Rainbow, Wipeout. But, no one would do the Ring of Fire. Kids told Evan at school that people lose body parts on it. They even told him someone had lost their thumb on it. I promised him that it wasn’t true and that if it were, I’d totally know about it. I mean, it is in our front yard afterall.
Sunday afternoon, here we are.
The rides and crowds may be gone. But, we will always remember Dogwood week 2011.
Or, at least until the fence is fixed and grass grows again in our park where authorized vehicles only are allowed, unless you are a carny. In which case, come May every year, park it here for a week.
I love small town festivals — it feels so American. In our small town’s July 4th parade, our men push lawn mowers in formations while walking down the road. That alone makes our parade worth it! Thanks for sharing a bit of life in your community!
Oh my gosh! I am so jealous! That looks stinkin’ awesome! How much! I agree – it feels so American! I love it!
That is so cool. We had deep fried oreos at the rodeo here. I can’t imagine if they were just across the street
Sounds fun! I was disappointed by how many rides my 7 year old couldn’t ride at our local fair last fall. These photos make me hungry!
I love a good festival–ours is always Labor Day weekend. I would love to be able to sit on my own front steps to watch the parade go by!
wow! right in your very own front yard! that’s crazy!!! i’m sure it was fun… for a week! hope you’re enjoying some peace and quiet… until next year!
That looks like such fun! Deep fried cookie dough sounds. . . umm. . . VERY good.
A festival. With rides and fair foods. In your front yard?
You guys must be doing something right!
Looks like it was a wonderful time!