Pumpkinfest!

It feels like only a few weeks ago, we were setting up our camp in Confluence. We had some great times there this summer. But this weekend was our last hoorah of 2009. We winterized and closed up the camper until next spring.

But before saying farewell to my new home, we had one last event on the agenda: Confluence’s annual Pumpkinfest.

We arrived too late Friday evening to watch the frog jumping contest. Darn.

Saturday held lots of fun for kids. The wee ones “competed” in the Pedal Power Tractor Pull.


And these youngsters are braver (and less scared of heights) than I.

If you managed to climb all three sides of the wall, you won $100. Me? You’d have to add a few zeroes…QUITE a few…to get me up on that contraption.

This band was pretty good. Thanks to them I’m still humming the tune to American Pie.


If you wanted to take out your frustrations, there was this reject from the defunct Cash for Clunkers program and a sledgehammer. Have at it.


What’s a Pumpkinfest without BIG pumpkins?

Hey, if Linus is still looking for the Great Pumpkin, I know where he can find him!

My “job” for the weekend was to grab some photos of the Tough Man Fire Engine Pull for a potential article for Pennsylvania Magazine. These guys have more brawn than brains, if you ask me.


Hubby took some time away from the festival to try out his new fishing pole. He didn’t realize I was shooting pictures of him catching his first fish with that pole. If he had, he’d have turned around so I could see the darned fish!

Sunday morning, we took the bikes out. Here are a couple of scenes along the trail.


After our ride, we veered back into town to see the car show.


I loved this one. It’s a ’55 Chevy just like my grandfather had. Well, his was green…


This creation caught my eye, too!


And Hubby wants this one for Christmas.

Yeah, honey. You keep on wishing.

Summer is now officially over. See you next spring, Confluence!

Comments

Sara said…
I'm only a little sad that we were stuck at home instead of at the Pumpkinfest!
OK, more than a little sad!
That looks like it was a blast! And at least 2 out of my 3 kids would've made an easy 100 bucks climbing that wall!
Awesome reporting!
10/9/09, 1:12 PM
Annette said…
Sara, you and the kids would have LOVED it. And there were a couple of pig roaster/barbecue rigs set up. Maybe next year Mark can set up shop and the rest of us can enjoy the festivities.

As for the climbing wall, what I didn't show was the "hard" side. The toe-holds were spaced much further apart and there was an outcrop to deal with. They weren't giving away a lot of cash, let me tell you.
10/9/09, 4:12 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mom Update

Image
It’s been a while since I wrote anything about my mom. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed a number of posts recently about long nights in the ER with her. I appreciate the kind concerns and prayers from friends and family. But while I know they’re well intended, the “hope she gets well soon” sentiments cut like a finely honed blade. Mom isn’t going to get well. She has good days and bad. More and more of the latter. Today’s “good days” are about the same as the bad ones a couple months ago. She has vascular dementia. In addition to her mental slippage, her legs have grown weak and uncooperative, adding to her pre-existing balance issues. We plead with her to call for assistance to get out of bed. Unfortunately, she can’t remember that she’s had numerable falls lately, so she continues to try to get up and around on her own, resulting in more falls. And in more trips to the ER. She has dislocated her right hip twice now. She’s hit her head more times ...
Read more

A New Face

Image
I've been hearing over and over lately that I need to get new headshots done. People who only know me from my online presence complain when they meet me that I don't look anything like my picture. Hmmm. Is that good or bad? I'm still not sure. However, the fact that I now wear my hair a lot longer than I used to is a fact I can't deny. The problem with new photos is...well, I'm older than I was when I had those last ones done. If I could get away with posting a picture of me when I was 25, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Seriously, inside my head, that's still what I look like. Outside? Not so much. But I caved in this weekend. After shooting over 60 frames, I came up with four that I like. So I'm posting them here and asking for a vote. Which ONE photo should be my new "face" for my online persona? Choice #1 Choice #2 Choice #3 Choice #4 Leave a comment with your favorite. Okay, I get to make the final decision, so this...
Read more

The 2010 Confluence Writers' Retreat and Flood

Image
For days, the weathermen had been forecasting “THE FLOOD.” With melting snow pack combined with heavy rains, they were suggesting everyone pack up the women and children and move to high ground. Of course, our writers’ retreat was scheduled to be held at Paddler’s Lane , on the scenic banks of the Youghiogheny River in Confluence. “Confluence.” As in the point where the Yough (pronounced “Yawk”) is joined by the Casselman River and the Laurel Hills Creek. As in the place I spend a large portion of my summer at our camp. I scoffed at the panic mongers. Flood? Heck, it floods every spring. I ain’t afraid of no stinking flood. So off I went. Loaded up the car Friday morning under sunny skies and headed east, with joy in my heart. A whole weekend with my Sisters in Crime in a gorgeous house with lots of food. And writing. Oh, yeah. Lots of writing and—better yet—workshops with Ramona Long . First stop: Panera Bread in Uniontown where I met Sandy Stephen, Susan “ West of Mars ” Gottfried, a...
Read more