Fall, Festivals, Fainting

Confession time: I bought a few sprigs of fall floral a couple of weeks ago.

I didn't mean to. I went into the Dollar Store, innocently enough, for a piece of poster board but there they stood all cute and fall and reminding me of what is to come.

Among the pick your own patches, the carving, the annual chili bash at our house, the hot cider, and the apple-cinnamon-pumpkiny scents there is something else I just love.

A good festival.

This year we didn't have to wait for October because we found a few to satisfy the craving in summer. We first joined up with dear friends to support the local crisis pregnancy center and jail ministry. There was the playing of corn hole, a small maze, pony riding, a barn full of children's games, music on a stage in a field, and plates of home cookin' and smoked ribs.




There was also 100 degree weather, even at 5 pm.

That experience certainly taught us a lesson, so we ventured next up to Nashville for the Tomato Art Fest at 10 am on a Saturday. Of course, in the heat of the day... because 1,000,000 degrees makes for a much better heat index.
Needless to say, we didn't last too long. Thankfully, though, we were able to use a frozen lemonade split between sippies and some free farmer's market fans...




...to load up on some goodies before we called it a day and went to find lunch indoors where it was air conditioned. We may have been sticky and sweaty, but we certainly had us some fun in between.

Today, due to some big time runny noses, we had to miss the first annual "Sweet Tea Festival" at a plantation near our house. Boo. A festival centered around an abundance of sweet tea? Pretty sure it would have been some southern version of heaven.

But maybe it will be best to wait anyway. You know, until I can put out those delicious autumn colors without feeling like I'm cheating on the season. Until then, it's off for snuggles and fixing the toilet and "Horton Hears a Who" and the promise of my favorite season right around the corner... likely without a side of fainting.

That's what I call a good festival. :)

~Katrina