Festival '09

For those of you not in the West Michigan area, we have an amazing thing here, called Festival of the Arts. I've been going to it my entire life. For some, it is 'just a festival', but for me, it is a lifetime full of memories, and more waiting to happen.

It is a celebration of many of the things I love. They have several (5 or 6?) different stages, with perfomances for three days. Those performances include ballet dancers, rock bands, barbershop quartets, and many more. When I was in high school there were years that I performed all three days. I loved it.

Then there is the artist's tent, where artists sell their wares.... and the display area with fine art on display. I mean, what more could you ask for? Well, FOOD. lol There are over 20 booths run by non profit organizations as fundraisers... all with ethnic foods. Some American, Greek, Italian, etc. There are alot of people who go JUST for the food! :)

And you are thinking, wow, this must cost a fortune! Nope! Everything is free but the food. :) Now, you can spend a pretty penny on food, lol, but it's always going to a great cause! So we took full advantage...

We hit the Face Painting, where Haley got a sun and Davis got an orange goatee. I can not tell you hot fitting these choices were, lol. I got a watermelon. :)


We hit the T-shirt Printing (my personal favorite, a huge memory from my childhood!)...

And they even have a drier so that you don't smudge! Woot!


Then we did the Glue In (each child gets 8 pieces of wood to create whatever they would like with those pieces and wood glue)...


So much concentration...

Then there was the Paint In. LOVE this... my kids go home with ART!

They think of everything... they even have a bucket for them to wash their hands!

Then we stopped for some apple juice. A little story behind this picture... Haley was NOT happy about that apple juice being in the picture, especially that close to her head. However, she knew I wanted a nice picture so she is smiling and yelling at Davis through clenched teeth, lol! You'll notice that they now have on their new t-shirts. Well... that's because Haley managed, even with a smock, to get paint all over her shirt. I tell you, this girl is the messiest child I have ever met, lol. It is part of her charm, I suppose. ;)


From there we decided it was time for an elepant ear. It is a must at Festival. :)



Then off to make hats! This was a huge memory for me as a child as well... the very thing I remember doing at festival year after year. I can't believe that they are still doing it. :)


Then off to the DiSuvero Swing (which I believe is actually supposed to be a work of art, lol). Haley doesn't like it, but as you can tell, Davis came off of it one happy guy. ;)


Then we got Balloons. A fish on a pole and a sword. (Also free! But I tipped the guy a few dollars because he was awesome!) Is it just me or does Davis look like a Hitler wanna-be here? lol

So obviously there is lots to do and lots to see. Lots of fun... but mostly lots of smiles.