In Search of the Quintessential Festival…
I love a good festival. At least I assume I do as I’m still somewhat of a festival novice, only recently having become aware of this hidden passion of mine, and having very few festivals under my belt. Perhaps I should rephrase that. I love the idea of a good festival. Growing up I was not a festival patron by any means. I was aware of a few, but the mere mention of one did not set my mind racing, contemplating the wonders that could be waiting for me, hidden away in vendor’s tents, roasting on the well seasoned grills of the festival chefs. Rather, this newfound interest most likely springs from the slew of depressing news stories that assault us on a daily basis and a desire to catch just a hint of a simpler time, a time (whether real or imagined) when communities came together to socialize, to swap recipes and ideas, trade crafts, and just be neighborly. It’s a desire to have a little taste of small town America after having lived in the big city for many years, a taste of a small town I’ve never known. When I hear the word festival now, I conjure up images of the town librarian winning the blue ribbon for her delectable peach cobbler. I imagine the local mechanic making his way through five pies to win the pie-eating contest. I see little Timmy, the paperboy (and weekend alter boy) proudly entering his pet pig into a livestock competition, blissfully unaware that somewhere down the road said pig will make a mighty fine ham sandwich. I know that this festival, in all likelihood no longer exists (if it ever did) but that pieces of it survive to this day. And thus I have decided to embark on a journey to see if I can capture these moments in the modern age, to seek out festivals whenever possible and, along the way, see if I can’t capture a bit of that small town feeling. In attempting to do this I have given myself some basic rules I have to follow. I’ve started with two and may decide more are needed as my festival experience grows – though I figured I would start small.
- I must sample some festival food. If possible, whatever I eat should be central to the theme of the festival. Bonus points if it’s something I haven’t tried before.
- I must leave the festival with a souvenir, once again as central to the theme as possible while still being something that I will get some use (even if it is just as a conversation piece). Handmade or locally produced? Even better. Where possible see if I can learn a little about the people who made the souvenir.
Pretty basic rules, but like I said I’m starting small. With Courtney by my side to be my inspiration, my sounding board, my co-conspirator, and additional photographer, I will be hitting the festival circuit, looking for a taste of simpler times, trying to find that perfect festival and reporting my findings back here.
