Posts Tagged ‘Finn Fest’

Sidetracked (by Indians) at the Finn Fest!

Sunday, July 29th, 2012

We had every intention of making a quick stop at the Finn Fest yesterday, perhaps getting a bite to eat and seeing a few of the exhibits, and then heading back to Long Beach to the rodeo.  Well, “the best laid plans…” as they say…

First, despite the cars parked from here-to-Sunday, someone pulled out and we nipped into a spot just yards away from the festivities.  We could hear the Naselle High School Marimba Band and smell the barbecue as we walked along, thoughts of cowboys already fading into the distance.

We watched costumed little girls do their Maypole dance, visited with the women placidly spinning to one side of the quilt exhibit, and checked out the old (and all-too-familiar!) tools in the museum room.  We ate and we visited with our neighbor Hal who was manning Susan Holway’s booth where books and CDs by performers were for sale.

We saw Sue, herself, only from afar.  She looked fabulous in her Finnish regalia and I chased after her a couple of times but never could catch up to get her picture.  Part of the trouble was that we kept running into people we knew.  In fact, visiting with folks – even with strangers – was one of the most fun parts.  And always we were asked, “Are you Finnish?”

It was the question of the day.  I overheard many people answer: “Well, my husband is…” or “Half, on my mother’s side…” and immediately there would be an exchange of names and a litany of who was related to whom, where they had come from, where they were living now, etc.  Somehow, everyone made us feel as though we, too, belonged.  And so, of course rodeo thoughts drifted even farther away.

Early on, we saw Chinook Tribal Chairman Ray Gardner and had a chance to visit with him and his wife for a while.  His question to me wasn’t about my heritage, but about what book I was working on now. My question to him was about his schedule over the next few months and whether he’d be available to participate in the upcoming Community History Project being sponsored by the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum.

When we saw on the program that he was speaking at 3:00, we had to stay of course.  All thoughts of cowboys completely disappeared.  We had been captured by Indians – well, by one totally charismatic Indian.  Ray Gardner is always a pleasure to listen to and, as usual, we were not only entertained but learned new information along the way.   We were so glad we stayed!

The plan for today:  the Cowboy Breakfast at the Rodeo Grounds!

Cinco de Mayo!

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

YUM!

     Last night we went with friends to our favorite Mexican restaurant in celebration of Cinco de Mayo – one day early.  We called it “Cinco de Morrow,” and had a grand time.  I’m hoping we can celebrate again today.  You can’t have too much Mexican food to my way of thinking!
     Cinco de Mayo marks the third ethnic celebration we’ve enjoyed so far this year.  In February it was Chinese New Year’s at a friend’s home – a fabulous sit-down meal with all the authentic touches right down to dishes proper to the occasion.  In March it was Saint Patrick’s Day here with corned beef and cabbage a la the old comic book characters, Maggie and Jiggs.  Next up?  Probably the Fourth of July with hot dogs roasted over a bon-fire at the beach.
     Not that we live from holiday-to-holiday or party-to-party, of course!  But celebrating the richness of our area’s cultural diversity is definitely one of life’s great pleasures.  Which reminds me –  the Finn Fest is coming up in Naselle again this year.  Oh boy!