Why I Love Autumn #3: Festival time!

Fresh!

Fresh air. Fresh fun. Fresh color.

I can't think of anything better than getting my kids outside where they can have organized-chaotic fun. Fairs and festivals seem to sprout up in October and November in abundance. Oktoberfest, pumpkin parties, fall festivals, harvest festivals, pow-wows - regardless of the name, these are the kinds of events we thoroughly enjoy.

Free cider? Check.
Free face painting?
Oh yeah.

Free apples?
Uh huh.
You won't yell at my kid for running around like a chicken-sans-head?
Bonus.
No weird looks at me when my kids scream and laugh thus creating an ear-shattering cacophony of splediferous proportions?
Totally awesome. (And I know you love how I snuck in those BIG words...)

Most recently, we ventured to the Fairfax Fall Festival - a glorified street fair with vendors selling their food, crafts, and talents. Old Town shuts down several streets for the event. Crisp white tents line up along the asphault clearing with little space between them. Each houses a treasure trove of creativity. Weaving in and out of these instant store fronts is a feast for the senses. Sweet and sensuous lotions and soaps. Vibrant scarves, purses, clothing. Decorative statues, wreathes, and ornaments for every season. Street performers, balloon artists, entertainers-all.

The Fire Department uses the day as an opportunity for outreach - offering demonstrations, safety brochures, and an opportunity to explore the Fire House and its vehicles.

We loved playing fire fighter - - shooting at a target with the ferocious stream of water from the fire hose.

And the power of that hose was incredible. I'd never want to accidently cross through that flow of H2O.

Ok... I confess that I didn't actually try the hose out... but I did try on the hat, was goosed, and got caught in this scrunched nose shot that I'm still debating about hiding forever because I don't like the way I look. I suppose that since I'm posting the photo, it'll serve as a record that
#1. Someone cared enough to shoot me at an event (and I didn't have to cajole him to)
#2. I do on rare occassion find myself completely and totally overcome with laughter.
#3. My friend is a sneaky, sneaky woman to pinch me and run off like a silly school girl. And I love that about her because it keeps us young.