This past Saturday we had the pleasure of traveling with my family to Clinton, IL for the 40th annual Apple and Pork Festival. Clinton is a town in central Illinois about 2 hours southwest of Kankakee, and this fall festival is the height of all fall festivals. The above picture shows you only a sliver of its magnitude--there were tents and vendors set up literally all over town selling crafts, antiques, and the most delicious food you will find just about anywhere, with thousands sampling said crafts and food. Here is a list of the food and drinks we sampled: ham and beans, pork cutlet sandwiches, freshly roasted ears of corn (dripping with hot butter), bottled red birch beer, apple fritters, cornbread muffins, kettle corn, sweet tea, caramel apple sundaes, apple cider floats, and blooming onions. It was heaven.
We were probably crazy to think we could do such a huge day with three kids under the age of 18 months, but we managed to come out unscathed, still enjoying one another's company. Baylor and Jack did just fine without their naps, and Charlotte slept happily crushed up against whoever was willing to lug her around in the baby carrier. The only thing that put a damper on anyone's spirits was the heat--it was over 80 degrees and very, very sunny, which is truly bizarre for September 27th in Illinois. The boys now sport stylish sunburns on their cheeks and necks. I should add here that this day just happened to be my dear husband's 26th birthday, and he was a good sport to spend his special day at a huge festival with his in-laws. Happy Birthday, Stephen!
We were privy to this festival's existence because my uncle, aunt, and cousins lived in Clinton for about 10 years back when I was in elementary and junior high school. My family, along with my grandparents, made coming to this festival an annual tradition, and I hadn't been since my freshman year of college in 2001. Not much had changed, including the crafts. (Why is it that Midwestern crafters are still stuck on crocheted dish towels and silly outfits for concrete geese?) Despite the funny crafts, it was a great day that was well worth the long trip, cranky babies, and sweaty armpits.
Jack and Baylor now hang out in the back seat of the van.
Notice Jack's funny face underneath his blankie.
Stinky boy shoes.
Gamma and Aunt Candice take a break with their favorite boys.
Pumpkin Man to save the day!
The boys don't yet understand hanging on,
so Joey had to be very careful while hauling Jack around.
Taking a break--do you like my red mum?
Charlotte, Miss Sleeping Beauty for most of the day,
stays awake long enough to get burped in the middle of her lunch.
Grandpa shares his kettle corn.
2 comments:
Ahahaha, I'd just like to say...I havr a ceramic goose in my classroom. The kids named it Little Aukerman a few years back....and it's our class pet. I dress it up every month in a beautiful, festive outfit. ahhahahahahha
Christine! You and your Mom look so much alike in the one with you two and the stroller - it took me a moment to figure out who was who!
Loved the pictures of the fam! Nothing like a good pork festival!
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