A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of looking ahead toward tomorrow, rather than back at yesterday. But now I’m reminded of how pleasant it can be to look back, too.
On Saturday, my husband and I attended the 2023 Putnam County Dairy Festival. It’s a big-deal annual event in the town where we live, although this is the first time in the six years we’ve lived here that we’ve gone. In our defense, we’ve been out of town during some of the festivals, and it wasn’t held during the COVID pandemic years.
Putnam County used to be the dairy capital of the state of Georgia, and although that’s no longer the case, the Dairy Festival lives on. It starts with a Fun Run and a 5K Road Race – neither of which we took part in, by the way – and continues on through the day with a parade, speeches by dignitaries, presentation of the Dairy Festival Queen and her court, exhibits and entertainment, food trucks, children’s games, rides, and activities, plus what seems like miles and miles of booths with vendors selling everything from toys and games to clothing and jewelry, Dairy Festival shirts and souvenirs, and anything else you’d expect to find at an event such as this.
As we walked along, I was transported back in time to the carnivals, county festivals, and state fairs of days gone by. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a small town, or maybe it’s just a matter of selective memories, especially since I hadn’t been to any of these events in quite a while, but the feelings that come back to me when I think of them even now are of a more innocent and easy-going time. Norman Rockwell paintings and Uncle Sam posters come to mind, as well as the aroma of hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy, and thoughts of leisurely strolls and casual conversations with friends and neighbors whenever we crossed paths.
Those days are long gone, and I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I’d like to go back to a time before cell phones, the internet, or microwave ovens. But even though I never want to find myself living in the past, every once in a while – especially during summer festivals and celebrations – it’s still a nice place to visit.
June 7, 2023
©Betty Liedtke, 2023
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