Nashville Flea Market

The last weekend of every month during the summer is the famous Nashville Flea Market. This year we got there early (Uncle Bill took us to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and bought each of us a gift) and had a great place to park. James got several toys and the flea market and even some “jerky” snacks (although the $3 soda pop did sting a bit). Mary checked out the antiques with Uncle Bill while James and Dad visited the toy sections of the flea market (and there were many). Thanks to our early arrival we were able to leave the Flea Market just before the afternoon heat (and a few rain drops) came.

Mom got Dad a wallet which was very much needed. Of special note was the gift that James picked out at Cracker Barrel which was a toy dog. The evening before we visited Uncle Bills home and he has 3 dogs which James got to play with, could James be sending us a hint?
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Edited: August 31st, 2010

Colon Car Show & Magic Festival

It was magic week in Colon Michigan and the whole family went to share in the festivities. There was a car show this year and it was a pretty big success considering it was the first one for the city of Colon. Each car had a bucket out front and you were supposed to throw a quarter into your favorite cars bucket. The car with the most quarters wins a prize! There were loads of prizes donated by the various local shops so more than half of the cars shown in these pictures received prizes.

James did his usual romp around the craft fair and local beach, Mary took in the evening magic show which featured some of the worlds best magicians. Dad got to spend some time in the magic shop (which is always a fun experience for me) and also went on the graveyard tour where famous magicians like Blackstone are buried.
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Edited: August 19th, 2010

Marshall Blues Festival then Puppet Show

It was a very hot July day and the traffic and construction tie ups were terrible, but we made it to the Blues Festival in Marshall Michigan for the first time. James and I stayed for a bit then went on to the park and a magic shop, while mom enjoyed the music while shopping for antiques on the Marshall main street. We left around 6pm as the place was just starting to get real crowded. Mary bought a cd of the music of one of the bands and we listened to it on the way home. That evening James watched a dinosaur movie then did his own version of it in his puppet theatre. Lots of entertainment this day! (more…)

Edited: July 18th, 2010

Trenton Festival 2010

What a great time we had at the Trenton festival. James has been here several times in the past few years and he always has a good time. I think his favorite thing is getting the free balloons from the various shop keeps to participate. This year there were a whole bunch of inflatable moonwalks and slides that he could play in as well as the usual games that he is familiar with. He also got to put out a simulated fire with a real fire hose. After the event was over we went out for Chinese to complete a wonderful summer day. On the way home, we stopped by Aunt Louises old house and snapped a picture. sure looks different with those gates in the drive. (more…)

Edited: July 11th, 2010

Oakwood Festival

James got to go to a festival two days in a row. The first day he went was Saturday when we stopped off at the Oakwood Festival on the way to a graduation party (Kirsten Maliszewski). The next day we picked up Aunt Peg and took her shopping, then went back to the carnival for some more fun. The pictures here are from the first day, the second day it was just Dad and James so no one took pictures which was fine with the both of us (Aunt Peg couldn’t join us because she was in pain with her legs.). The only ride we did different the second day was the Ferris Wheel and I would have to say James liked that the best. (more…)

Edited: June 21st, 2010

Magic Get Together 2009

The Abbott Magic Get Together has been going on for over 70 years. Located in Colon MI, the Magic Capital of the World, James spent a couple days about town watching the magic. Before we left, James drew us a map of the street complete with addresses so we would know where to come back to.
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Edited: August 6th, 2009

Magic Show in Colon 2008

James got to see a live escape by a girl who was placed inside a box then hoisted up into the air. The rope holding her box up was lit on fire and everyone though she would perish, but when the box was opened she was gone and then came out from the pizza parlor with a pizza. The crowd of about 100-200 people applauded and it was a great fall day for all.

Once the street was blocked off the first thing James did was run across it, must be a natural instinct for a 4 year old.
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Edited: October 22nd, 2008

4th of July Parade 2008

This is Colon MI, the Magic Capital of the World, and each year they have a huge parade and festival to celebrate the 4th. James has a blast each time he comes here. There is also a arts and craft show with games for kids and prizes for them as well. After the parade, and golf, and swimming, we finished up the day at our friends Walter and Mary’s house where they had a barbecue until the evening fireworks show began. James slept all the way home after staying up for the fireworks, a better night sleep was never had by anyone I think.
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Edited: July 4th, 2008

Cold Water Car Show and Flea Market 2008

We already had a pretty full day today, beginning with the magic flea market in Colon, and then the the petting zoo, but on the way home we stopped for a few hours at the Cold Water Car Show. Mary spent most of the time looking at the hundreds of classic cars that were lined up outside while James and I searched around the flea market part of the show. Obviously Mary had the camera and she did a great job getting shots of all the classic cars for the website.

I think the only picture we got of James was the one here with his dad in front of the spider grill car, the rest of the nearly 200 pics are of cars.
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Edited: April 5th, 2008

St Albert Festival 2007

This year at the St Albert Festival James got to do a little exploring, he went to the playground and made a couple friends, then went off to the sand box which is located between the Jr and Sr buildings at St Albert. Such a shame James will not be going to this school, since it will be closed down. I have no idea what will happen with the buildings and all, or what will happen to St. Alberts but from what I understand this will be the last festival because most of the people involved with it have kids in school, and next year they will be going somewhere else.

James was much more mature this year and we were able to keep him out a little later so that he could ride some of the rides at night. He fell asleep on the wagon ride home.
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Edited: June 30th, 2007