Topic: Harvest Fest 2010 Daytime Activities

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2010-10-12 17:13 EST
Of course, Harvest Festival was meant for families as well as single folks, children as well as adults. So the area around the Southern Glen was alive with preparations and fun! Farmer Giles, who owned the nearby apple orchard, had agreed to turn over the property for a makeover " into a spooky haunted orchard, decked with cobwebs and illusions of ghosts, and volunteers who dressed as scarecrows and blood-soaked butchers to jump out at the children (and parents) who rode through on the hayrides. While the festival wasn't officially supposed to start for another few days, people were already taking advantage of the activities and bringing their families out for a good time.

The air around the Glen started to fill with the cries of vendors selling their wares, hot cider and popcorn and caramel apples for sale. Others sold ribbons and beads, blankets, jewelry, paintings " if it was small enough to be portable, there was a booth selling it! Children squealed and ran through the crowds, from booth-game to booth-game, throwing darts at balloons to pop them and bouncing small balls into rows of cups to try to win a prize. One entire tent had been set up for local farmers and growers to bring vegetables for judging, and another tent waited for the baking contest on Friday night.

Some preparations were still going on " carpenters were putting together a solid wooden dance floor for Friday night's Square Dancing, with a raised platform in the back for the musicians and the callers. More volunteers helped with the decorations and picking out pumpkins to be set aside for the jack-o-lantern carving on Friday night. But all in all" The Harvest festivities were already underway!

Lirssa Sarengrave

Date: 2010-10-14 12:52 EST
"Omigosh! Did you see that pumpkin?" Lirssa backtracked and ran to the judging tent. She trusted that Maman with Raza swaddled up in his snuggy next to her would be in to survey to array of gourds and other produce polished up for presentation. The farmers boasted of their expertise and assured each other that the prize was going to his or her prize bit of harvest.

Thick crowds worked their ways around each other, murmured apologies the low harmonious hum beneath the laughter and merry conversations. Children with sticky faces and sticky hands suffered or struggled against parental spit cleanings. Among those children were familiar faces of those from High Spires. Mrs. June had come this year now that she had the help of the older children to look after the younger.

With a wave and trot over, Lirssa greeted and was greeted in return by the boisterous and excited voices of the foster children. "We're going on the hay ride. You wanna come?" Jamie's cloven feet pranced with excitement.

"We're going to go play some of the games," Mandy offered, holding to shy Anasta's hand.

Several other suggestions were brought up, and each in their turn was given permission by Mrs. June. Hands to the baby filled pram she pushed, Mrs. June smiled to Fionna, "I think we both know it is probably time for the little ones to be fed. I know a nice spot over to the side of the tables. If you care to join me."

Lirssa tilted her head as just at that moment Raza seemed to start doing his scrunch up face, like he was realizing something was not quite right and in a moment would start to cry out his irritation at the strange ache in his belly. "Maman, I'm gonna go walk about, I'll check in with you in a bit."

With those plans made and agreed upon, Lirssa turned off with some of the older girls in the foster home, Violet and Madeline, to walk the grounds. Madeline was in fine form. She had just the knack to smile at the boys to make their heads turn and look twice. "I don't know how she does it." Violet sighed, brushing back her white hair caught in the breeze. She did not linger on the thought, but smiled to Lirssa. "I should have thought to wear a hat. Where did you get it?"

Immediately self-conscious about all she has now, Lirssa touched at her hat and then shrugged. "I think Mrs. Fionna found it."

"Mrs Fionna?" Madeline crowed that charming, superior way. She took Lirssa's hands in hers. "Dearling, you aren't going to hurt our feelings if you call her Maman, like we know you do. After what you've gone through because of your association, I should say you have the right."

Violet went pale, but then a more timid nod. With their looks exchanged, Lirssa felt a tightening in her stomach. Evidently her life was the subject of some gossip and chats among the older girls of the foster home. Madeline affected an air of obliviousness to the tension she just created. Instead, she redirected " as if the matter closed and settled among them " to a group of boys by one of the game booths. "Ooh, now he's cute."

Lirssa gave just a glance to the group, her attention wandering. "Oh, they're coming over. Maybe they will treat us to some cider. Stop tugging your shirt, Violet." Madeline hissed and then smiled. "Hello."

There were murmurs of return greeting behind her that Lirssa thought might be a good enough distraction to walk off on her own, but then she heard him. "Hey, Lirssa. Glad to see you're better."

"You two know each other?" A new edge found its way along Madeline's voice.

Lirssa turned back with a smile and nodded. "Hi, Nicholas. Your family out here, too?"

"Yeah, Mother is on a hayride with little kids. Father is helping building the stage." Nicholas gave a nod and gesture to where men were building the dance and band stage for the grown up activities. "Who are your friends?"

A round of introductions made, hats doffed on the boys" side, smiles on the girls" side. Nicholas startled Lirssa with offering his arm. "I hear the cider is very good."

"Then we can try again at the balloons." One of the boys piped up.

Lirssa looked over her shoulder, as if she feared her Maman was standing there disapproving, but Lirssa knew where she was and knew her Maman was more reasonable than that. Still, Lirssa hesitated a beat more before she took his arm. It was only polite, afterall. It didn't mean anything. And in the end, they only shared an hour or so of company, before Lirssa went to enjoy the rest of the harvest festival with her family.

alicia long

Date: 2010-10-15 21:51 EST
Alicia does not always get rid of the paranormal animals she gets called on. She keeps quite a collection for herself to research and keep as pets. Upon hearing of the spooktacular festival she decided not only to show off her collection, but to inform the public of the benefits as well as the dangers of such animals. In a nice area of the glen she set up her display. Tables with various glass cages with mystical runes carved over the lid housing a spider the size of a small dog. The markings of such would resemble that of a phase spider. The sigils on the container preventing the creature from using it's ability. Next to that was housed a seven foot centipede. and next to that was another cage completely made of glass housing a lizard like creature with neon blue skin with black markings. Every now and then electricity would run across it's body. Peering out of it's container at the onlookers. Another cage again completely glass looking housed another lizard. This one a deep red in color. Flames licked across it's body now and then. Last but certainly not least was a beast that looked like a cross between a dragon, and a chicken. It's legs covered by thick bags. Beating it's little wings against it's container and pacing back and forth.

The other side would have a box of index cards with her name, and comm link frequency on it along with a comment box, and of course donation can. Being a Paranormal animal control officer was not cheap, and neither was feeding some of the creatures she ends up taking care of! So, If your interested in the work she does, and the animals she has to deal with, stop by and watch her demonstration!