Easy, Breezey, and Inexpensive Family Fun

Local Festivals are so much fun!We just came home from our churches "Flower and Garden Show." There are tons of these all spring and summer long. No cover charge (usually), plus inexpensive yummy food, equals a day of fun. The Local Festivals are put together as a fundraiser for the organization hosting it, so don't think posh. The idea is to go w/an open mind ready for adventure. That and comfortable walking shoes are all you need to entertain your kids on a relaxing spring/summer day.
What's To Eat:
The food is usually good bbq or homecooked goodness for less than McD's. For $12 we fed our 4 kids and ourselves. Bring a water bottle, as beverages can be the most pricey items. Before going to a new festival, I always make sure the kids have a snack - just in case the choices are not in our pallette. Nothing can ruin a fun day out than 4 overly hungry kids!
What's To Do:
There is always something or someone to see. Some have music and live entertainment, a variety of vendors and some even have rides for the kiddos. You won't know unless you went the year before, how much is going on at any one festival. In North Wilmington, DE they have several full blown carnivals w/rides worthy of entertaining your teenagers all spring long. A little bit into the country of PA it's a church's bbq w/kiddy games like sack throws and ball tosses. In tiny towns of Maine the entire tiny town has events on the same day. The firehouse has a pancake breakfast, the library has a blow-out book sale, the restaurants have street side service and booths all over and someone has put together games for the kiddies. The excitement of people enjoying the festival environment is enough to entertain young kids w/out a big pay out. It's like Chucky Cheese outdoors, but no coins w/mice and the food is waaay better! (Although, if you get cotton candy, you will still be sticky!)
How to Find 'Em:
Keep an eye out in your local paper's calendar of events, local business bulletin boards, and lo calchurch bulletins. Churches, Auxillaries, Hospitals, Parks and anyplace looking to raise money is prone to have an event. Look for anything titled: Flower Market, Arts/Crafts Show/Bizarre, BBQ, Pig Roast, Festival, etc. Mark your calendar as you see festivals advertised. Just a quick entry of day, times, location and you have something to do whenever you need it.
Tips:
1. Your Mother was Right. Go to the bathroom before you leave the house! Once you get there make note of where the bathrooms are located before you go to any activity. Parking is sometimes a far walk from the food and bathrooms.
2. Go w/Your Gut. Bring water bottles and some small snacks (granola bars, pretzels, nuts, etc). You may not like polish sausage or Gyros. Some festivals have only one kind of ethnic food.
3. Feet Don't Fail Me Now. There is a huge field w/nothing on it the day before. There are a hundred cars parked before you arrive. They are between where you parked and the festival. Wear comfy shoes!
4. Bees Love a Festival, too! Bring a dose of Benedryl, just in case. It is small and now w/portable individual kid spoons. You never know which of your kids (friend's kids) will be allergic until they are stung. Late summer, early fall festivals are really the tough ones, especially at orchards. The bees are drunk w/nectar and people have missed the trash can all summer long. So, the bees are all over the picnic tables and trash cans. Sit on the lawn away from the area, if possible!
Most Importantly, be open to finding fun in anything in your path. And you will get the benefit of seeing your families faces light up and the action around you.
Have fun finding the local flavor around you!