So what did we do on such a hot day? Went out in the sun like idiots... That's what! We attended a parade and a Renaissance Faire.
I mentioned to Sue a couple weeks ago or so that the Auburn Good Ol' Days event was coming up. Always searching for options for our Picture of the Day blog, I thought that it would provide us with some good photo ops. After all--They have a parade and all kinds of stuff going on when they close the center of town for the event. Sue had never been to it, and of course the newly-arrived DeBelling family hadn't either. We all agreed that it might be interesting.
We stayed for the parade.
And what about that parade? Eh, at least one thumb down. With the exception of a truly awesome group of lovingly-restored tractors and an equally good group of old fire engines, there wasn't much else. Highly political, at times it seemed like every other participant in the parade was a political figure running for office in the upcoming primary. Lots of candy was being tossed out to the kids, so I guess that was a high point too (just ask Markie--He had a pretty good sized bag full by the end). There were no clowns even. The three high schools in town had small summer-representations of their marching bands there but they we barely adequate. When we were almost back to our car I looked down a particular side street that was usually closed off and full of food and vendor tents and found it empty and open for traffic. I don't think my expectations were too high--I think my memories of Auburn's Good Ol' Days event were too fond. The last time I went was some time ago, and it was really much, much better then. I felt a little sorry I played tour guide for it. I hope they'll all forgive me. I'd say that particular parade/event in Auburn is in its death-throes.
From there Suzie and I went home and assembled a couple of hot-weather versions of our medieval costumery. When we got to the Renaissance Faire I'm sure it was well into the upper 90's, but at least there was a little bit of a breeze. Truth is, it didn't do much for people. Everybody seemed off their game. There were a few people that were putting on their "brave face" and were completely in character, but for the most part everybody was wondering what the hell they were doing there. The sporadic water misters that were scattered here and there to help people cool down were barely worthy, and drinking water seemed in short supply. The EMT people were there in two different vehicles while we were there--Picking up the fallen attendees or vendors that had succumbed to the heat. I wasn't in much of a picture mood and I don't think Sue was really on top of it either. More than once I heard arguing from attendees (among themselves) and saw vendors reclining on the ground in their tents like they were half dead. Everybody's fuses were a little short. Needless to say we didn't stay long.
By the time we got home the wind was picking up, and the rest of our hot day actually turned out pretty good. Our back yard was in the shade by that time, so we grilled up a bunch of hot dogs and brats. Folks from up the street dropped in here and there and made for a very pleasurable evening.
A good finish to an iffy day.
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