Now that was fun! The Newman Fall Festival was so much fun, despite the higher temperatures than predicted earlier in the week, the entire weekend (plus) was wonderful. There were people everywhere taking part in activities throughout the park and beyond and it was great to see, especially on Saturday morning.
The west side of the town was filled with volunteers early in the morning, ready to safely guide the hundreds of people who walked or ran in Bailey’s Legacy Fun Run, an annual fund-raiser which gains momentum every year.
What a great way to start off the two days of festival activities in the park. That event not only raises money and awareness for childhood cancer, I think it perfectly reflects what our West Side communities are all about – people caring about people, helping one another survive challenges and supporting causes to improve the lives of those around us.
The spirit of Bailey’s Legacy Fun Run is truly a West Side blessing that brings people of all ages and walks of life together for a common cause. It is a beautiful way to kick off a full weekend of good old hometown fun.
As people were running, walking or directing around town in that event, volleyball players were assembling at Densmore Park (library park) for the 24th annual tournament. Organizer Kiyo Dupont said 33 teams competed this year, which is a lot of folks driving into Newman from all over the place for this popular Fall Festival event.
Canopy shades were popping up at every corner of the park that morning filled with not only the players but their families who came to cheer them on.
Saturday was hot, especially when standing in the direct sunlight, but it was still fun and was nice to see so many people out and about enjoying the variety of things to do in and out of the park that day. Sunday also was a wonderful day, with so many people in the park. The food booths seemed to have a consistent line of customers, the carnival was packed, events were happening, people were walking through the craft and vendor areas and carrying packages of new purchases….the park was bustling with people, lots of families and lots of smiles.
Thank you to all who made this festival happen this year. You did a fantastic job all around. It was a great way to celebrate as a community.
So….what’s next?
The OLM Celebration! Yay!
Actually, the celebration began on Friday with daily rosaries and masses in the evenings leading up to Sunday mass on Sept. 8, but the most “public” part will be this weekend with the bodo de leite on Saturday morning, the candlelight procession that night and the BIG celebration on Sunday. Those are events not to be missed.
The bodo de leite is always a sight to see and this year I am sure will be no different. I am amazed at the cows in the parade and have come to better appreciate these beautiful animals. They are something to see (and hear). If you haven’t gone before, you need to add this to your calendar for Saturday morning. Take a chair, an umbrella for shade and some water and find a spot along the highway or Fifth Street downtown and get ready for something so unique and fun, you’ll be talking about it for weeks and inviting people to go with you next year. Each year there are certain elements to the parade that you can count on, like the cute little preschool kids from OLM dressed in Azorean island attire and carefully following the yellow line along the center of the parade route. There will certainly be sweet bread and milk handed out by children volunteers dressed in costume as they make their way through the parade crowds. And, there will certainly be cows, lots of cows, all sizes, many decorated, pulling carts and creating a distinctive sound that has become the signature sign, for me anyways, that the OLM cow parade has arrived. Lately the parade has included a theme, or story line, depicted through various scenes created on floats. This year, organizers have selected a story line that I am suspecting is going to be very touching and inspiring to the crowds watching as it rolls by. I am looking forward to it.
The schedule says the parade will start forming at 10:30 Saturday morning, so I will be prepared for it to be heading downtown by 11, although past experiences remind me that the festa is on its own time schedule, which means, it could be noon before I see, or hear, the beginning of the parade make the corner turn onto Fifth Street from the highway. That’s okay. The idea is to find a spot and relax. Enjoy the moment, talk with those around me, listen and learn and enjoy whatever is happening at that time. Good times. And when the parade does finally start…..yahoo! What a grand show it will be!
Hope to see you there!