Bonnie and I met up very early this morning, at the Historic Independence Square, to attend the event that's the official (for us, anyway) start of the "fall into the Christmas holiday craft sales season". . . Santa Cali Gon Days!!!
This is the 43rd year for the festival that "commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails". We have only missed attending one time (I think) in the last 15 years. And while it's not "the same" as it was in the "good old days" (and what is????), it's still a fun time to stroll through the many huge tents of craft ( and imported ....sad face here) items, enjoy some tasty treats from the large variety of food booths and restaurants , shop at the local retail stores, and just have a good time with my friends for a few short hours!
We ALWAYS arrive before many of the vendors are set up . "Why?" you ask? Well, because, while they are putting the finishing touches on their booths, we . . .
are getting our shopping "nourishment"!!! Bonnie and I each had the biscuits and gravy and my daughter (who was able to join us for a bit) had one of their yummy cinnamon rolls. We almost always eat our Santa Cali Gon breakfast at Dave's Bakery. This establishment just recently celebrated their 30th year in business!
By the time we finished breakfast, the craft tents were starting to fill up with shoppers!
We always go through them at least twice. . .sometimes more, depending on our own schedules, our stamina and our level of "shopping interests".
Soon it was time for LUNCH!! This year we decided to dine in a local restaurant as it was really getting hot and we needed some A/C!! We ate at The Court House Exchange.
Once we were finished, we shopped a bit more then needed to head home. I got this photo of a new addition to the weekend's festivities. . .they added "wine" to the "Beer Garden". That place will be rocking later on today and probably the rest of the weekend! :)
Our only photo of us was a quick "selfie" I took with the Kettle Corn in the background!! I can't believe we didn't buy any this year. . .but we didn't. I know I was still stuffed from my breakfast and lunch!
They will be holding a 5K run/walk again as part of the Santa Cali Gon festivities! It's a very, very, VERY hilly course. . . and will be a big challenge for me, but one that I am sure I'll enjoy being a part of, especially because a couple of my running pals have also signed up for it.
THE STONE RABBIT is showing you the shirt we got for signing up for the run. . . I think he looks pretty snappy in it even though it fits more like a blanket on him than a shirt. :)
Please add a visit to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, to your list of "to dos" over the next few days! There you will find a long list of other bloggers who are ready with their weekly shares!
Happy Pink Saturday!!
DANA
I am not big on Christmas decorating anymore. I have a sister that is crazy ABOUT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. This sounds like a fun place to go tho.
Posted by: LaVoice | September 04, 2015 at 05:47 PM
Hello Dana, You know how much I would love to go to the festival with you both. Your detailed description of all the fun makes me envious. Smile. The food sounds so delicious. There is a drawback to living in the mountains and in a small town. Nothing as exciting as this happens here. Sometimes the sisters get together and do something fun in Atlanta or Ashville.
we do have the wonderful Biltmore House.
The T-shirt has great colors and I know you will do very well in that run. Your selfie made me smile. I am way too vain to share a selfie. HA! Tell Bonnie hello for me.
Happy Pink Saturday.
Love, Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | September 05, 2015 at 02:05 PM
Hi Dana!
The Stone Rabbit looks dashing in his shirt! Looks like you girls had a lot of fun and oh my, how I would love to have that cinnamon roll!
Happy Pink Saturday!
Posted by: Deanna | September 07, 2015 at 12:41 PM
That festival looks like a great deal of fun and that cinnamon roll made my mouth water - as all cinnamon rolls are want to do. I think the Stone Rabbit looks dashing in the festival t-shirt!
Robin
Posted by: RobinfromCA | September 07, 2015 at 03:25 PM