Oktoberfest

Our little "city", Seymour, celebrates Oktoberfest the first weekend in October every year.  It runs from Thursday noon thru Saturday evening.  This year October 1st was a Saturday, so the party started Thursday, September 29th.  If my calculations are correct, next year Oktoberfest will start October 4-6.

The city actually changes the street signs at Second and Chestnut and Second and Walnut to the German equivalent.  We didn't make it to Second and Walnut for me to take photos.



Second Street

Chestnut Street

I was lucky enough to have my sister, niece, nephew-in-law, and great-nephew join me this year!

Kathy with her camera at the ready!

 

Daddy Mark, Gage (11 months old), and Mommy Krysta

We walked uptown, even though neither Kathy nor I felt like it.  We both have fibromyalgia, which feels like you have the worst possible case of the flu all the time.  But we went as the kids were really looking forward to visiting the craft booths, food vendors, flea market at the First United Methodist Church parking lot, and the kiddie carnival.

We got to see so many craft booths with such a large variety of items.  You could spend all day there and not see everything.  In fact, we didn't get to go down three of the streets.

There were lots and lots of Autumn decorations in front of the booths.  Wish I had some of these at home!

It was still daylight when we left, but by the time we met up with Hubby, the sun was starting to set and it was really getting chilly!



Uncle Doug says, "Gimme Five!" Gage says, "Huh???" pulling his hand back!



Krysta, Joy (that's me wearing Doug's Oktoberfest shirt), and Doug

Lots of people were bundled up!  About 3-4 years ago, Kathy came to stay with us during Oktoberfest, and the temperature got to 108 degrees!  We were both dying by the time we got to the flea market!  I've also seen it snow during the three day festival. 

Our daughter and grandson Garrett showed up, both with chicken and dumplings noodle soup (I stand corrected).  Grandpa had mentioned he wanted some before the evening was over.  Garrett came up to him and said, "here Grandpa, this is for you!" I think Grandpa gave it back to him, after a couple of bites.  I believe Grandpa's heart was swelling with pride and love right then!

Garrett, Tiff, and Grandpa Doug

Then SIL Nate and grand-daughter Kaylee appeared. 


Nate, Kaylee, Garrett, and Tiff

Get a load of this cheesy grin!  

Kaylee - she knows how to pose for the camera!

 We decided to get something to eat from what seemed like a hundred or so different food vendors.  Lots to choose from, and we didn't see all of them this year!

By this time, Kathy and I were pooped.  We rested for a bit, before trying to make it home.  The kids decided to look around some more.  The moon was making its presence known.  It looked so spooky, playing peek-a-boo in the clouds every now and then.  Kathy took a great picture of it, but all the town lights distracted from the eerieness (is that a word? doesn't look right!). Then she tried one closer to home, but the lights and lines were still a distraction.


Near Post Office at 4th and Chestnut



Near 4th and Walnut

I took a picture of it as we got home, into the backyard, trying to avoid lights and all the phone, cable, electrical lines that snake their way thru the skyline.  Kathy was too worn out to try to mess with any more.

The kids got home almost right after we did.  They decided to forego the joys of the kiddie carnival.  There's still plenty of time for Gage to enjoy the rides when he gets a little older.

Well, that's my 2011 Oktoberfest story for this year!  We had a good time, but we were ready to hit the hay.

Sharing this with Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party.  Why not hop on over and see what brewing?  There are so many lovely posts, with lots of decorating ideas!

Click HERE for some fun!

Take care and God Bless!

XoXoXo

P.S.  The reason I put "city" in quotes at the beginning of this post:  Seymour is the SMALL TOWN in which John Mellencamp was born (Doug's cousin on his mother's side, something like 3rd cousin).