Summerfest may be a festival for others to copy
When first I heard there would be no carnival at Royal City's Summerfest, I wondered just how good a festival it could be.
Then I thought about it again and determined that Summerfest may just the right formula for all small towns wishing they could revive their festivals.
As many of you know by now, I grew up and still live in the Yakima Valley. Every town has a festival, and I've been to all of them, from the Central Washington State Fair to the Harrah Fall Festival.
Except for the fair, the Valley's festivals have a sameness to them. They all seem to be centered around a traveling carnival. Except for a parade and a talent show, most of them don't have the participatory nature of Summerfest.
Summerfest, from all I've been able to gather is all about participation. Without having experienced it, I'm guessing it's like one giant community picnic. You can't help but get to know more of your neighbors.
I enjoyed carnivals as a kid, but I haven't been to one in years. I pass through the one at the fair to get to the exhibits, entertainment and local concessionaires.
The thing about carnivals is that, if you're a parent, you go mostly to watch your kids ride. You are so intent on that that you hardly notice anyone else. Maybe you'll say hello to a friend on the way to the next ride.
Summerfest, I'm guessing, is like all that stuff at the CWSF away from the midway. It is family-oriented. You'll see old friends and make new ones.
At Summerfest, you'll be drawn to each other by participation. If the Amazing Race field is filled, there will 100 young folks participating with at least that many observers. Spectators will know the names of most, if not all, the participants by the time the event ends.
The same will be true for the soccer and volleyball tournaments, the family game challenges and the Gymkhana horse games. People will ask:
"Who made that shot?"
"Who were those kids who rolled over each other in the three-legged race?"
"Who was that girl on the black horse?"
I'm going to Summerfest on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to start by loading up at the cowboy breakfast.
I've never been a cowboy, but I appreciate the lifestyle. My kids and grandkids love it when they visit and I start their weekend with a Saturday morning bunkhouse breakfast, with real fried spuds.
Sadly, because of my own participation event, I will miss some of the fun in the park. I'll make the parade and some park events and then move over to the golf course at about 1:30.
A high temperature of 94 is predicted for July 9. If weather patterns hold true, the high will hit right during the golf tournament. I hope I'll still have the legs to last.
Thankfully I'll be riding. Hopefully I'll have the good sense to stay in the cart. Maybe I can just wheel up to the ball and play polo style.
After the Royal City Summerfest Scramble, I'll hang around the Royal City Community Center for the pig roast, which is being sponsored by The Royal Register. Serving will start at 7 p.m.
Our parent company does a pig roast every year at Crescent Bar under the sponsorship of the Crescent Bar Chronicle. It has become a highlight of the year on the island.
The pig roast will be open to all folks in South County, and there will be no charge. Side dishes will be prepared by the ladies of the golf course.
The only challenge is that we don't have an inkling about how many people will attend. We will serve until the food runs out. So you may want to line up early.