Another Bit on the Bus

Today the Twin Cities Photography Group was invited to photograph the Hanover Harvest Festival. Some of us got up early and caught the whole 5K race that started the celebrations, but being a Saturday I decided the earliest I could bring myself to wake up was my normal week-day hour, 7. Since I missed the 5K I went directly to park near the city hall, which was the area with the most activities anyway. I wandered around the flea market until I identified the Information tent - Scott, the meetup organizer, arranged with the festival organizers to get press passes for us. The envelope contained the laminated badge, a map and a meal ticket which was a nice touch.

As I did not see anybody else from the meet-up, I tried to get some shots of the flea market. There was a up slope from the city hall but the area had some trees that were obscuring the tents. I took some close-up shots of the three tractors in the "Tractor Exhibit" and then I saw that Diane arrived and after she got her badge, we proceeded to go towards downtown to meet the other members of the group. On our way we passed the "Classic Car" show parking lot - there were the usual Chevys and Plymouths, and then by the "Duck Drop" tent.

We settled in front of the "River Inn" to wait for the parade. And wait we did making small chat for an hour. Andy arrived as well, thinking that he found the best place to shoot the parade, only to find us all huddled at the bend 8^).

Finally the parade has started - and we spread out, taking the shots of the floats loaded with visiting princesses from the nearby towns, interspersed with vehicles advertising local businesses from which candy was tossed into the welcoming arms of the little kids. After the parade, we regrouped and decided to seek a bit of shade and some refreshments - "River Inn" was just across the street so it was an obvious choice. They had some nice wraps and cold beer, and life was good again.

Obviously the place was packed and the lunch ran longer than we planned, so we missed the "Duck Drop". Diane was disappointed as she entered three ducks into the competition, but when we came out" the organizers told us that the sheriff said the "North Crow River" was flowing too fast and it would be too dangerous to fish all the ducks out of the it, so the drop was moved to a kiddie pool by the side of the street. So no big loss there...

As the clouds moved in, threatening with a good soaker, we walked back to the city hall to check out the rest of the events. The rest of the parking lot was now bustling with kite-making, face-painting, funky hair painting for kids.

Near the petting zoo that comprised a horse, a pony and two chickens I caught what I feel was my best shot of the day: some kids training with lassos:

We waited some more for the beauty contest coronation, then we met with the mayor and we dumped all the jpegs from the parade so they can present a slide-show after the pork chop dinner and we took off.

In conclusion, not too much excitement or great shot opportunities, but a pleasant day, outside, in good company. Will come again, next year...