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

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

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

Nashville Flea Market 2006

‘This is Marys favorite flea market in the whole world, we scheduled our trip to Nashville so that we would arrive in time for the Nashville Flea Market. My understanding is one of the driving forces behind the flea market was an ancestor of Mary’s. The Flea Market is huge and you have to walk up a big hill to get to it so if you decide you want to go, be sure to bring your hiking shoes.

Even though it was September it was still very hot. Some of the buildings are air conditioned while others are not but at least you could take a break from the heat if you wanted to. The only charge for the flea market was for parking so it was well worth the trip.
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Edited: September 23rd, 2006

St Albert Festival 2006

The local Church festival came around again, and James was first in line for several rides this year. He is still too small for many of the rides but is quite content with the ones that he is allowed to ride. His favorite is the train ride, a nice relaxing stroll in front of St Albert the Great church.

We found out that St. Albert school will be closing, not enough kids to keep it open. What a shame, both myself and my sister Criss attended school here and it sure is a shame that it won’t be around when James goes to school in a few years. I do not know what will happen with the festival, but without the parents of students to help I don’t think the outlook is good.
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Edited: June 28th, 2006

Pontiac Jambalaya 2005

Mary wanted to see one of the Blues performers really bad, so we made the trek up to Pontiac and enjoyed a wonderful day of festive recreation. Koko Taylor was performing and Mary is a big blues fan so this was an extra treat for us. In addition, it marked the first time that James was able to pick out his own duck at the duck pond and won his first prize.

Tony Stewart won the Nascar race that day, I remember we were listening to it on the car radio and waited till it was over before we left the parking complex. Tony is Mary’s favorite Nashcar driver so it was a double great day for her.
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Edited: July 24th, 2005

St Albert Festival 2005

I used to go to this school as a child, so did my sister Criss so its only natural that we would support our local church, especially when they are celebrating their 50th anniversary. This year we went to the festival two days in a row. On the second day James took a break and played in his new kiddie swimming pool, complete with dolphins, then later we went back to the Saint Albert festival for a second day of festivities.

A great summer day for sure, who could ask for more
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Edited: June 28th, 2005

Trenton Festival 2005

We try to get to the Trenton festival each year, usually its right around the same time as the Wyandotte festival. We always take a stroll down by the river there, if for no other reason to get a break from the crowd. The booths are well stocked with all sorts of gems including personalized storied so we ordered a personalized story for James which they had finished before we left for the day. They have also have an area of games for the kids which James enjoyed and he always falls asleep with a helium balloon by days end.
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Edited: June 11th, 2005

St Albert Festival 2004

The annual festival was never this big when I was a kid. When I went to school we had a moon walk and a small haunted house in one of the classrooms. The Polka-Tels were the band every year and we had a choice of kielbasa or hotdogs at the concession stand. This reminds me of Boblo, its huge and alot of fun.

James got to meet many friends for the first time including Diana Ball who is friends with Criss and Kenny and who I went to school with at St Alberts.
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Edited: June 28th, 2004