Mike the Mailman Reflects on Festival Fun

What a weekend filled with festivals.

Between the arts festival in State College, the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg and Heritage Day in Philipsburg, I didn’t even have a chance to digest Louis Freeh’s report.

I know I will have a reaction to all that has continued to be revealed, most recently in Freeh’s report, but I haven’t had the chance to read the 267-page report in completion, yet alone be able to articulate my thoughts and opinion on all of it.

Onto what I did have a chance to experience, digest and enjoy this weekend: How can you not enjoy the summer in Happy Valley?

This past weekend alone there were more activities around town than could be attended. There are always a couple of events I make sure not to miss. The most important of these being the final show on Saturday night at the Ale House, for one of my favorite bands, Cartoon.

After 32 years, the band played its final show together. It was, as always, such fun because at one point some of the band members’ kids were up on stage with them performing as well. There is something to be said about annual traditions. Not only are you looking forward to whatever it is that you participate in, attend or experience, but it’s a reunion of such, where there are others you look forward to seeing and catching up with at said event.

It was bittersweet Saturday night knowing that this would be the last show I would see all of those people (both in the band and in the audience) in the same place at the same time. I am grateful for all of the performances that I was able to be a part of, sing and dance along with friends and family. My brother-in-law Tony went on his first date with his now wife, Rebecca, to see a Cartoon performance back in 1984. They were with me on Saturday and we had about the best time you could sending the group out on a high note.

Another newer tradition that I have attended both last year and this year was the parade in Philipsburg on Saturday. It was another reunion of sorts, where many that were born and raised in the Philipsburg area come back for this weekend to visit with friends and family.

My wife Katie continued her traditions of purchasing one piece of art (paintings) from both a local artist at the People’s Choice and a visiting artist at Arts Fest. Like in years past, our home gets a little more artistically enhanced with the added pieces that have been purchased.

And just when I thought the festivals were over, this upcoming weekend is our annual Siblings Weekend which, as it was, Katie and my turn to choose the location, we are all staying at a cabin in Black Moshannon State Park.

It turns out that this weekend there is the Friends of Black Moshannon Summer Festival. After this past weekend, we are looking forward to cooking, card games and kayaking with family as well as some more festival fun.

Recent Columns:

• Mike the Mailman: Happy Birthday, America – July 3, 2012

• Mike the Mailman: Historic Bellefonte has Happy Memories for Me – June 19, 2012

• Mike the Mailman: Memories Matter Most for this Dad on Father’s Day – June 17, 2012