Summer Festival Anyone??

I am a kid at heart, always wanting to find a little fun in my day.  I seem to be the one in our family who wants to plan various activites to do on our days off and holidays so we don't end up bored with nothing to do.  Summer is my favorite time to wander out-and -about outside.  I love finding outdoor festivals to attend in various small towns near us.   My husband likes to go along for the ride and is my best friend and cohert on these experimental missions.  He enjoys small town life as much as I.  Together we have attended the Mantua Potato Festival, Chagrin Falls Blossom Festival, we've been to Medina's Art-in-the-Park, and we have even attended the Twinsburg Twins Festival, even though niether one of us are twins.  We just enjoy the excitement of seeing people gather on hot summer days, shop outdoor craft booths and eat lots of foods from various local food vendors.
 We especially love when there are musicians playing music at these affairs, and we often find a place in the grass under a tree to sit and have ourselves a listen.  One can do a lot of people-watching while perched under the shade of an oak tree listening to a polka band playing in the background.  There are usually toddlers in front of the stage dancing around happily while their parents cheer them on.  Elderly folks are seen watching these little children, and they smile when they remember how it was when their children were that small.  The twinkle in their eyes says it all as they watch and remember.

 Other children run about with ice cream cones dripping in their hands, while men scarf down various meats that have been cooked over outdoor grills with onions and peppers.  We like to follow our noses to the vendor who is making kettle corn over an open flame in a large brass cauldron. The line in front of this vendor is always long, but it is well worth the wait.  One handful of this freshly-made treat is never enough.  We like to buy extra so we have enough to enjoy this sweet/salty treat in the car on the drive home. 
I often like to find booths where hand-made jewelry is sold.  I've always been a sucker for unique pieces of art to wear, as long as it is reasonable priced, of course.  I steer clear of the very expensive jewelry because I know I can find pieces that I love at a reasonable price I can afford.  I suppose this thriftyness stems from my humble beginnings in South Dakota, but that's ok.  I buy what makes me smile and often leave the festival with a small treasure or two that reminds of me our day spent in small town USA. 

Yes, I am a kid at heart and I wouldn't want it any other way.  Bring on the festivals and let the summer festivites continue!