Festivals Abound

We have been to a few interesting places in the last couple of weeks.  We decided to take a drive to Scottsdale one day and found that they had an Arts Festival on as well as some sort of street festival.  The Arts Festival had lots of artists and artisans showing a variety of wares.  We then wandered on and found that the streets were closed off in parts of Old Scottsdale.  There were stages set up with live entertainment (Is that as opposed to dead entertainement??  I always wonder that when the TV announcer ways filmed in front of a live studio audience.  Do they sometimes film in front of dead people?)

I digress...  There was a classic car street. stage entertonament and some vendors and loads of people.  Since we were walking by, we went into a little adobe church.  It was the Our lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.  It is the first Catholic church and oldest church in Scottsdale.

It has been restored to its original condition as much as possible.  Although the stained glass windows had been removed, they were found at a window company who had wondered how long it would take for someone to come back for them.

Here are some of the people who were sitting and walking around - and some of their wares:

 

 

 

We have been to Scottsdale a couple of times since then to have dinner with my friend Evelyne and her husband and to have lunch with Dalton's cousin and her husband.  We are getting to know how to get around there.  We like the Old Town with its interesting shops and eating places.

 

 

We have also been to the Renaissance Festival.  It is held on weekends just east of the Mesa area.  There are lots of booths to look at, food to eat, tournaments to attend and entertainers (live ones; no dead!!)  to enjoy.  We especially liked that many of the attendees also dress up in medieval clothes so it is difficult to tell the staff from the visitors.  If you want to participate, you can rent costumes or buy head gear and such.  Most of the visitors who were dressed up, appeared to arrive in costume though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed the jousting tournment and our knight won which was a bonus. (Each section was assigned a knight.  We all got to cheer and boo as was appropriate.)

 

 

There are lots of activities for children so we think we will take Beth, Tim and Sarah when they come this week.

The last festival we have been to was right here at Towerpoint.  All the activity groups made displays to show what they have been doing all season.  Of course, our quilting group put on quite a show.  I only put in a couple of small pieces.

 

There were lots of other bigger (and better) ones to see though.

 

 

You get the idea.

Saturday was the third and last day of the Festival and there was a parade.  It had a Woodstock theme so there was lots of peace and love - and not a few pretend joints being smoked.  I think some of these people were at the original Woodstock!!

This is our neighbour's car. 1941.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good time was had by all.  Oh and I forgot to mention that food and wine/beer flowed pretty well for the three days.  No wonder a good time was had.  Peace and love to you all.