I absolutely love fall. When I was young, I remember it being such a magical time for myself and for my cousins. My Grandpa would help us rake mounds and mounds of leaves, and laugh, as we would roll down hills, and end up with caterpillars in our hair and chiggers all over us. My Mom's house always smelled like pumpkin and gingerbread, and as the days got shorter and cooler, and school wound back into routine, I loved the crispness of the air and easiness of sweaters, and boots. The anticipation of Halloween, and picking out which costume to wear, and where to go trick or treating was always one of my favorite things. My Aunt and Uncle would throw huge Halloween parties at their home, complete with a terrifying (haunted) obstacle course, centered around their own home-made legend of a ghoul who lived out back named JR. (yes, we all believed it.) Now, I am a Mother and I hope to make Fall as magical for my children as my family once made it for me. Fall to me still means many things. For as long as I can remember, there has always been one thing, to me, that has symbolized the beginning of Autumn, and that would be the Black Gold Festival, here in good ole Hazard.
The Black Gold Festival was held last weekend, and of course I had to lug my two babies downtown to get some delicious (and fattening) festival food. I know that most people here in town (and sometimes myself included) talk about how much they dislike the Black Gold, but it does bring in revenue to Hazard, so I can't talk too negatively about it. It is hard dealing with the traffic (especially because I live in town) but I do feel very nostalgic about the festivities. I used to love going to the carnival, getting a wrist band and riding the scrambler and tilt-o-whirl all day, until I lost my lunch. Trying your best to win a goldfish or a bunny rabbit at the Carnival games, or playing darts with balloons to win some cheesy pop culture poster. I have fond memories of the Black Gold in it's glory days.
I always enjoying going downtown and seeing people that I know. You can always count on seeing almost everyone that you went to school with, and half of the people that you know, which isn't a bad thing. Sometimes, it's nice to catch up. I ended up running into my dear friend, Ms. Alison Wells, who is not only a great attorney, but a great person as well. She is running for Circuit Judge in November, and was doing a fantastic job, handing out free waters and lemonade at her booth. I just think the world of her, she has been so kind to me over the years, and she will make a fantastic Judge.
I couldn't leave without browsing through the craft booths, which are always filled with local vendors. I like to shop local, because if everyone did, we could really boost our economy. I was really impressed with the diversity of goods they offered this year. From home made quilts, to custom cut belts, down to refurbished furniture and local gemstones. It was truly interesting to just go and look and take everything in.
Of course, I also had to get a funnel cake, and a blooming onion. Festival food staples, I am ashamed to say we demolished every bit!
Fall is truly a time of those last few cookouts, festivals, pumpkin patches and playgrounds. The Black Gold, for me, has always symbolized the beginning. I am always just a little excited for it, (yes, I am a kid at heart) and always a tiny bit sad to see it go. My babies enjoyed it, and therefor, I enjoyed it. (My Husband, not so much.) But here's to the beginning of fall! May you all have lots of Apple Cider, bountiful Halloween Candy, pumpkin spice everything, and lots of love and laughter.
Labels: Fall, ShopLocal, Vintage
