Spring has indeed sprung. In our southern niche, it’s a wondrous spell of warm days with a faint nip in the evenings and mornings enhanced by colorful blooms. Never mind the occasional death knell of trees and their assorted limbs felled by the season’s evil tornado twin, nor the remnants of the pollen index du jour. Let’s celebrate the glass half full, preferably with cervezas, margaritas, mint juleps or an Arnold Palmer.
Patronize your favorite Mexican joint with an early nod to Cinco de Mayo and the grand cause of freedom and independence. And, or swap the sombrero with an outrageous hat in homage to the Kentucky Derby and its equine athletes. There isn’t a shortage of themes to inspire leisure pursuits this weekend.
A picturesque and standout happening is the Fairy House Festival at Covington’s Chimney Park on Saturday. Anchoring the event is the Fairy House Village, a small community of fancifully-made homes, playgrounds and venues constructed of natural materials collected from forests and coastlines.
“The day is devoted to all things imaginary and creative and features crafts for boys and girls,” related Friends of Newton Parks Festival Chair Linda Shore, “Two new elements are being added this year: Bubble Man who delights children by making gigantic soap bubbles that float in the air and vendors who will be selling local crafts and goods and fairy-themed merchandise.” Attendees are encouraged to bring their own creations or conjure them under the park’s tree canopy. A new permanent park feature is the Gnome Home playhouse, conceived and constructed by members of Leadership Newton County’s Class of 2014.
One discriminating mother and daughter trio on the local and beyond festival circuit highly recommends the experience. “This is a really well done event, wholesome and non-commercial. It was a magical afternoon for us,” shared Debbie Digby, mother to daughters ages 6 and 8. Dollar bin tchotchkes manufactured in China discouraged. For more information, please click on the event link.
Go forth and make the most of the sublime weather and the various options it affords all manner of amusements. Oh, and please do the responsible thing by working in a moment to research and possibly cast an early vote in your local and state elections. Truly the best way to honor many of our south of the border and worldwide neighbors who don’t enjoy quite the same democratic process we often take for granted.
