Monday, April 14, 2008

I shook hands with Miss Maple Syrup 2008!!!

We sat around Sunday morning, at home, wondering how to spend the day. The kids offered their usual suggestions of Chuck E Cheese and Burger King. My husband, on the computer, checked the weather, "Cloudy and 38 degrees."

"No rain? No snow?" I asked him. "Are you sure?


"Just cloudy and cold." He mumbled.


"Sweet. Let's find our winter jackets. We are going to the 2008 Maple Syrup Festival." I exclaimed with excitement. I gathered up the gang and started layering them. "Remember how awesome the Port Clinton Walleye Festival was last year?" I asked my husband. "And how much fun to do we have at the Feast of the Assumption every year?" I smiled. "Remember the Wisconsin State Fair 1999 and how we found our wedding band?" As I remember all of the wonderful festivals and fairs we have attended I get giddy.

"I know you love your off-the-beaten-path festivals. BUT it is less than 40 degrees outside. And the festival is 40 miles away." My husband mumbled again.

"Come on, let's go. If we hurry we will be able to catch the parade, wave to Miss Maple Syrup 2008, watch the lumber jack competition, and observe the maple syrup demos." I was giddy and it was infectious. The kids asked a million questions in the car before completely passing out.


I forgot my Nikon at home and was forced to use a point and shoot. UGH! I hated the 5 second shutter delay. Nevertheless, I documented their first taste of pure maple syrup, their first bites of corn dogs, and Jay's first views of a lumber jack competition. It was a good thing he picked out a camo sweatshirt. He blended in perfectly. We learned so much about maple syrup and lumber jacks. Memories were made.

We had such a wonderful time at the 2008 Maple Syrup Festival, although it was cold and it did actually snow and we were one of 10 families there. We plan on making this our summer of festivals and fairs. The kiddos are too young to appreciate going camping. Furthermore, we don't have enough money to summer at the Hamptons. Therefore, this will be our summer of festivals.






When we came home I logged onto http://www.ofea.org/ and http://www.ohiotraveler.com/ to print out a list of upcoming festivals in Ohio.

69classy comments:

MommyTime said...

Ha ha ha Miss Moonshine! Sounds like a lot of fun. :)

April said...

You're so excited, you might even be able to talk me into another festival. And my memories of festivals aren't so fond. Then again, it's usually 100 degrees out, completely mobbed, and everything costs at least $5. I think OH might do festivals better than CA!

Kristen said...

Did I really just read something about a "duct tape" festival? That is the one I can't wait to hear about.

Happy Festival travels this summer!

Hope the rest go as good as this one! :-)

.jimaie.marie. said...

you must not frget the duct tape festival LOL!! oh my goodness, i can't imagine! or i can. which is why it's so funny!

my mom was a fan of obscure festivals, i hope to find some of our own to go to over the years...my personal favorite in california?
the artichoke festival!

just jamie said...

You are one fun lady! Whew! I could never keep up with your kind of festivities!

Unknown said...

That is quite the list of festivals to attend! I think you need to add a few state and county fairs....we have a pretty good one here...come join us!

Blessings From Above said...

Duct Tape Festival...are you kidding? I am totally there! I have never been so proud, or excited, to live in Ohio!!!

Amy said...

Moonshine festival!! LOL! Oh, I want to come too!

The Mom Jen said...

How festive you are as a family!

I was laughing at a local chicken festival coming up, but duct tape fest would have to take the cake!

;)

Tootsie Farklepants said...

I would totally hit up that pretzel festival! Mmmmm carbs.

Wendi said...

Miss Maple Syrup...who knew?
You sparked my curiosity, so I googled some festivals in NC. You may want to schedule a visit...these look promising!

*Carolina Chocolate Festival (darn ...it was in February!)
*Shad Festival
* Dogwood Festival
* NC Pickle Festival
* Merry-go-round Festival
*Festival on the Neuse/HogHappening
* Fire on the Mountain
* Wooly Worm Festival
* NC Seafood Festival( my personal favorite)
* Collard festival( sounds yummy-huh? UGH!)
*Uncle Sam Jam!
* Mullet Festival (I think this is a type of fish... but would be funny to check out and see if "mullet-hair-wearers" showed up!)

Sorry about the longest comment in history. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you could plan your big NC trip. You wouldn't want the kiddos to miss out on all the classy culture and I could introduce them to Miss Collard Queen 2008!!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

You are so funny! You should make your own dress out of duct tape to wear to that duct tape festival.
I would attend every one of those festivals on your list :-) I had a huge pout when we missed our first "Guy Fawkes" night-- where they make effigies of this poor sap and burn him in a huge bonfire and pass around a burning barrel of tar-- great fun to be had!

Laura said...

AWESOME...sounds like lots of fun.

We go every year to a country Maple Festival and have so much fun. Ours is the last weekend of April.

We also go to a Melon Festival...it is great fun!

Thanks for sharing.

Beth Cotell said...

The Duct Tape festival? Now that sounds like a blast!

I love the picture of your kids with the corn dogs...they look like they are being forced to smile...but they have corn dogs so it can't be all bad!

Anonymous said...

Sweet! I'm marking my calendar right now! The Feast each year for the last 15 years. Now we have to go one day w/ kids and one night without--too much fun.

LOVED this post--you completely crack me up.

Sue said...

You've just inspired me to take my kids to lots of festivals this year. AND to never forget my own Nikon! I can relate to the dread of using my p&s after being spoiled by Nikon.

MarĂ­a said...

I'm coming to Ohio nest year. I'm going to visit you. And you will take me to whatever is going on around there.

Stephanie said...

I love it! What a fun summer for you guys and the kids! I wish I lived in Ohio to experience it with you - I love festivals!

I hear you about the shutter delay - I'm thinking the SLR will be coming for Mother's Day and I couldn't be more hopeful!

Lisa said...

It sounds like many wonderful memories were made & will be made over the summer. I know what would make a GREAT, classy memory.....OHMommy running for Miss Moonshine!!!!

Seriously - you've made me want to look up all of the sweet festivals around us! Thanks for the idea.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I want to go to the moonshine festival! lmbo

We have a a strawberry festival here... we always go. Moonshine sounds a bit wilder though!

Crystal D said...

Duct Tape and Moonshine! OHmommy you are a lucky girl!
But really, I LOVE going to fairs and festivals. Such interesting things to see, always a homemade treat like jam or honey to bring home. We try to do at least a couple a year.

Katie Ryan said...

That's a neat idea. I'll have to look into some festivals when we move to our new city.

LunaNik said...

You're an effing riot woman!! You have a festival addiction...LOVE IT!

Oh, and I may have to come out to Ohio to join you for the Moonshine Festival...how on earth could I miss THAT??

Anonymous said...

Ohio does have the best family fun activities! Our social calender was so booked with fairs and festivals that we could hardly do much else. Glad you made lemonade out of your lemons.

Then again, what is there to do in OH besides all that?

Burgh Baby said...

The mere thought of festivals makes my skin crawl, but that duct tape one does sound sort of interesting. I may have to brave a few minutes passing through West Virginia to check that one out.

Unknown said...

Festivals are so much fun! You are so brave to go in 38 degree weather... we try to go once it's above 50. Which by the way brings me to "What the heck is up with the Ohio weather?!?"

kimmy said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! I enjoy going to all the festivals that we have around here in the summertime too!

Have a great day!

Kimmy

Dziadek said...

A co z
"Taste of Polonia" festival-Chicago-Labor Day
i "Jarmark Dominkanski" w Gdansku-Poland August ,2008
"Babcia i Dziadek "Festival-Independence Day-Home

pam said...

Oh I love me some festivals too! I'm from Michigan and we have all those hokey ones too. One year my girlfriend and I thought we were getting 'perfect' seats at the log cutting contest. Right in the middle, first row. Yep a setup - that's exactly where all the log shavings fly!! Fun fun fun.

Someone Being Me said...

That is hilarious. I can't wait to see Miss Moonshine. Don't feel bad. I have had the wine festival this June on my calendar since last June. I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

Katie said...

What fun, you're making great memories with your adorable kiddos!!

AutoSysGene said...

LOL! I want to meet this years Miss Duct Tape...do you suppose she'll wear a dress made of duct tape? ;) If she does be sure to bring the camera!

The Engert Family said...

Moonshine & Duct Tape festivals? Awesome!
We love fairs & festivals! Have a great summer.

Laura B. said...

Ha! I would give anything to get to go to the Duct Tape Festival. Oh, and a close second is the Moonshine festival...do they bill that one as a "family friendly" festival?

Sounds like a summer full of fun!

Amy W said...

I attended a Frog Festival this weekend...I too love dragging the kids to these things!

amanda said...

oh how we love us some festivals!! there truly is nothing better than a quick road trip that leads to small town fun :)

carrie said...

The Moonshine Festival and the Duct Tape Festival definitely should not be missed!

Even though it was cold, you guys had a great time and gave a little glimpse at what the warmer days will bring to us all over the country - the summer festivals and fairs! I can't wait!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the photo of the kids with their corn dogs! LOL

CC said...

Dude, is there a Miss Frog Jump too?

Make sure to never wash your hand again after this weekend!

You know what I can't stand about these festivals: parking. Won't go most of the time just because of that.

Anti-Supermom said...

You sound like me - boy you are going to be fested out with all that in August!

Miss Lisa said...

I am a maple syrup snob--I will only use it and if all they have is artifical junk, I go without ;)
You sure have fun summer; I love those things but the best of all that you just must try is Grapefest here in Texas--all about wine :)

Miss said...

I'm signing up for the duct tape festival and the pretzal festival. My kind of party.

Karen MEG said...

Wow, that's a whole lotta festivals! What fun!!!

Cecily R said...

A summer of festivals sounds divine!!

I'm with you on the shutter speed. It KILLS me when I know I missed the shot because of the stupid delay!!

Jon would so be there for the duct tape festival. He believes you can fix almost anything with wire, a butter knife and some duct tape.

bauer zoo said...

thank you for stopping by my blog today! what a great way to spend the day! i, myself, am a major sugar addict. so the festival sounds super fantastic!
thank you again for stopping by!
amyb

GoMommy said...

Miss Moonshine...I knew alot of girls growing up in WV that carried that title...although they had no sash or tiara to speak of...

Shannon said...

Hello ( : I read your blog occasionally, and having lived in Ohio before our big move out West, I must recommend the Yankee Peddler Festival. If you haven't been, it's a great day trip (not sure how far it is from you) and fun for the kids- and all the food is delicious. One of my favorite things there was a man who sells homemade cookie cutters custom-made. I had dinosaur cutters made for my son, and various princess and kitten ones made for my girls- all at fabulous prices (3 for $5). Think your summer of festivals is a great idea- hope you have tons of fun!

Irene said...

Actually, that does sound like fun. I like small town festivals.

But I did have to laugh about the Port Clinton festival. I have never been to the festival, but I used to go to Port Clinton on Memorial Day weekend with my friends to catch the boat to Put-in-bay. What a crazy island that is. But at the time, we had a pretty good time.

Anonymous said...

You inspire me and make me laugh all at the same time. I love the attitude you approach life with.

I am off to check out the schedule of upcoming festivals here in MA!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like crazy fun. I hope you decide who is designated driver before befriending Miss Moonshine.

Eve Grey said...

I love festivals too. But only the weird, off-the-beaten track ones with no line-ups. The kids love it. The Fall ones are the prettiest. I think I've been to very pumpkin patch in the whole region at this point.

Don Mills Diva said...

Thank God the duct tape festival doesn't conflict with Blogher - you would have had a pretty tough decision to make!

Tara R. said...

In October we have the Mullet Festival down here in Florida... the weather is still great and if you like seafood, you can eat your fill. And, the kids can pet a real, live alligator! :P

Unknown said...

great idea!! i'm sure the kids will love them all. i remember when i was young going with my parents to all the different neighborhoods for their fastivities and it really got me to learn about my city! chinese new year in chinatown, german fest in lincoln square...and all the ones i go to now (without any kids)...guiness oyster fest and old town art fair are my two fave.

p.s. i got an invite from 'babcia' for "Babcia i Dziadek Festival"-Independence Day. i've marked it on my calendar.

Anonymous said...

we don't have that many festivals out west. i miss them, oh and yes they may be too young to appreciate camping, but camping with babies and small children is a rare treat. ;)

Kat said...

I love going to the festivals too. The summer of festivals sounds awesome! Great idea!

Momo Fali said...

Don't miss the Brat Fest. I ate an ostrich burger there one year! It was delicious!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I live in Kentucky, you should hear some of the pageants and fairs we have around here. If they have a Mrs. Moonshine, maybe you can run. They have a Mrs. Chicken Festival around here. That's right, a Mrs. contest.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

I think the moonshine and pretzel festivals should overlap. They both sound enticing to me.

I love local festivals. We are chock full of them in our Illinois town as well. They are great inexpensive family fun if we can keep the kids away from the carnival rides.

KEEP BELIEVING

Amy said...

I love these kinds of things! Don't worry to much about using your point and shoot. You captured some great memories and that's all that really matters! =)

Anonymous said...

Aren't you Miss Thing?? No way I am letting Thad know there is a bratwurst festival so close by!

Narci D said...

Ok, I love that you love these. How much fun and off the beaten path--what great memories for the kids!

Anonymous said...

I had no idea that there were so many festivals...and I grew up with a kinda crunchy mom in PA! I feel sheltered.

And you may want to meet Miss Moonshine, but I would like to BE Miss Moonshine.

I tagged you in a meme because you are AWESOME. Details in my latest post! :)

As Cape Cod Turns said...

I love my Nikon and go crazy with my daughters point and shoot 5 second delay when I use her camera!
Maple syrup can be a lot of fun!

3 Peanuts said...

Oh Mommy,

You are making me feel somewhat nostalgic for Ohio! I went to graduate school in Ohio and I have been to the lumberjack festival and the pumpkin festival (centerville--VERY fun for kids!) and other fun lil midwestern festivals:0)

My hubby spent much of his childood there too.

So fun!

K

Nan Patience said...

You're so funny, I've gotta take a page out of your book for how to get the whole family motivated for some of MY sorts of things. You know the sorts of things I'm talking about... the kind that gets the eye-rolling, the television turned on, and the feet implanted?

But if you can get your troops out the door in crappy weather for some of THOSE things, then there's hope still. Cheese, frogs, assumptions, hee hee!

Kelly said...

It looks like there is a festival for everything! LOL The moonshine one could be interesting!

Sounds like you had fun even though it was cold. I've never tasted real maple syrup and have always wanted to. I bet it's yummy

Anonymous said...

Hmm... duct tape festival. You need to take lots of pictures of that..lol

It looks like such a great day!! I personally loathe the Chunkie Cheese of the world.. (I always call it chunkie..sorry.. you have now entered Kim Language 101) LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I love fairs, festivals, carnivals and special events too! I even take the kids by myself if my husband doesn't want to go. Our kids will grow up remembering the things Mommy did with them. And tradition is so important to me. :)

 

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