Tooele Arts Festival, June 25-27, 2010

My Aunt Susan has been the director of the Arts Festival for quite a while.  In fact, Uncle Bruce and Cousin Brian and the whole rest of Susan's family (brother and three sisters and their families) are all involved to some extent along with a bevy of Tooele residents who give nearly 6+ months of their time to put on this three day, free event. 

Dad, Cousin Brian, Mom and Me!

When we got to Tooele on Wednesday, Bruce and the volunteer crew were down at the park marking booth spaces while Dad sat and enjoyed the gorgeous views and the weather.  Thursday, was set-up day, so Susan had a bunch of pieces (tables, baking rack and lots of table linens, baskets and greenery) I could use to make a display.  About noon we headed down to the park to find that Bruce had already got my tent put up and staked down.  Which was a good thing as the wind was whipping through the park at a pretty good clip.  Have I mentioned the wind yet?  I thought Florida had wind, but, alas no.  Those warm, balmy sea breezes are just that!  Oh, and the other thing that differs out in Utah--it is very, very dry.  My contacts were almost brittle and my throat needed lots of water to keep happy!  These are all things that people assured me that you get used to--like the humidity in Florida, I am sure!!!

So, after the booth was set up, and I think it turned out really nice, we helped out around the park with the last minute things that needed to be done.  Things that we couldn't mess up too bad anyway.  LOL  Then Susan had made dinner for the volunteer crew and we were invited so we enjoyed a nice pasta dinner at the park. 

Friday I did really well for a three day show, and I was impressed by the crowd that came out.  Apparently Tooele's government agencies work mostly a four day week, so, we had lots of families out enjoying the weather, the entertainment and the artwork.  I constantly had either Bruce or Susan escorting Art Fest volunteers into the booth, and then later, the committee members of the various boards and groups that both of them support in the community made their way to my booth.  It was also nice that my soap was featured in an advertisement in the local paper.  I really appreciated the extra effort they made on my behalf and I am happy to say my soap sales for all three days was really great. 

Mom and Dad with their new vase and artist, George Elmer

We had great weather all three days, just a bit of that wind I talked about on Friday.  The quality of the artists was pretty nice--when I had a chance to walk I found two potters and one woodworker I might buy from and a gal from California had some beautiful pressed flower "paintings" that were gorgeous!

The entertainment was also pretty wonderful.  Behind my booth on the southeast side of the park a big beer tent was set up in the pavilion  with a small stage.  I loved the acts playing on this stage--perfect for sitting down with some of your buddies and spending a few hours (or just listening with one ear from my tent!).  The big stage on the northwest side of the park had more entertainment.  Especially on Saturday night when the "Neil Diamond" look-a-like was performing.  Susan was especially happy being in the front row to enjoy the show--and that guy sounded just like the real Neil.   From the excited reports after the show, he had down all the moves too! 

Susan and Mom enjoy "Neil Diamond"

By Sunday the crew of volunteers was happy to be nearing the end of the show...I offered to make clones of each to get them through, but they did just fine bringing the show to its conclusion.  Sunday the pack out went just fine and the volunteers had things wrapped up pretty much by dark.  Susan said some of the usual "crisis" things happened--the pizza wagon brought down an overhead electrical wire, the beer had taps but no CO2 canisters and something happened with the scheduling--but all in all it was a great festival both for the community of Tooele and the artists participating.