Is your community having a festival this summer or fall?
Posted by RitaR on July 22nd, 2009By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide
Throughout America, thousands of community festivals and events take place every year.
Community celebrations commemorate important historical or cultural events, regional developments, national leaders, the harvest, and the seasons. These events also can be organized as a time of thanksgiving or to honor the dead.
Community festivals draw tourists and may offer a way for cities and towns to make money.
In Olympia, Wash., where I live, Capital Lakefair is one of our biggest community festivals. This year was the 52nd celebration.
In 1957, to beat the heat and summer boredom, several Olympia businessmen sponsored a small carnival on the shores of Capitol Lake. Local non-profit service clubs ran food concession booths. Events during the carnival included a diving show, a hydroplane race, and fireworks.
A parade was added in 1959, and an arts and crafts show was added in 1986.
Today, the festival offers a way for local service organizations to raise money for their community projects.
Having not attended a Lakefair parade in years, I decided to go this year to take photos since I’m adding to my photo library for my blog.
A community custom is to begin putting folding chairs out along Capitol Way about three days in advance, often tied together with a rope so they aren’t stolen, to hold a place to watch the parade.
On Friday, I placed my chair on Capitol Way. Saturday I headed to it about 45 minutes before the parade. However, I couldn’t get near it. The road was already blocked because floats, bands, and other participants were lining up on Capitol Way.
I hiked about a half mile to reach my spot. I arrived just as the parade was beginning.
I had fun taking photos. And seeing the teenagers marching in bands and drill teams and riding on floats reminded me of my high school years.
I also took photos of fireworks on Sunday, which ended the five-day Lakefair celebration.
What festivals or events does your community offer? Do you attend? Why is it an enjoyable experience for you?
If you’re thinking of taking a trip or have one planned, here are articles and Web sites about community festivals and events to help you learn about them so you can attend one or more during your vacation.
“Top 10 Festival Vacations – North America” – iExplore.com
“Festivals of Food” – Oprah.com
“Apple Festivals in the U.S., Canada, Britain, and Australia” – PickYourOwn.org
“Jazz” – Top Events USA
“Film Festivals” – filmfestivals.com
“What’s on in United States of America” – worldtravels
“World’s Wackiest Festivals” – Fodor’s
“Top 10 Bizarre Food Festivals” – Listverse
“Small Town Festivals” – National Scenic Byways Program
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