This is the place
We know where we’ll be this weekend: at home in our town. Yes, dear readers, this Sunday, Oct. 12, is our 24th annual Glen Ellen Village Fair, replete with beloved parade, excellent food, fine wine, clever crafts, music and more. If ever there was a weekend to invite your out-of-town relatives and friends to experiencethe joys of our village, this is it.
All of two blocks long (almost), our illustrious parade generates more enthusiasm than its short course warrants. But that’s because it is, undeniably, a hometown treasure of a march. With almost as many folks in the parade as on the sidelines, you’re sure to see more than a few of your neighbors and friends whooping it up as the noon start time for our parade approaches.
Around noon, the long, slow stroll of paraders down Carquinez begins, led by our dear and respected grand marshal Anne Teller. She’ll be riding high, sitting up front in Neil Shepard’s elegant wagon, pulled by his trusty draft horses. Anne will be waving to friends and neighbors … at least to those friends and neighbors who aren’t with her in the wagon. We hope to see a few of Anne’s relatives on that ride.
At Arnold Drive, the parade veers to the left, past Talisman Tasting Room and the Glen Ellen Inn, continuing down the street, turning right past David and Nichole Brooks’ veterinary office, across from Kevin Flores’ garage. Over the bridge, where many of the cheering crowds await them, the marchers stop just in front of the Jack London Lodge Saloon, across from the Glen Ellen Village Market.
We’re always torn in our loyalties. Who to join in marching this year? Generally, I follow my fellow docents from the Bouverie Preserve. As a 27-year docent and past president of the docent council, I feel drawn to be with my hiking friends.
But, hey, Tasha Drengson’s troupe calls to me, too. I can’t help being lured toward the mayhem and excitement that Tasha and her Della Tre Sorelle team bring to the parade. This year, Natasha and her sisters Amiee and Charissa will be entering the parade with “Bouquets to the Dead.” We envision them dressed as elegant skeletons, lovely “Catrinas.” That fantasy conjures up a vision of zaftig, Ruebenesque skeltons … fleshy folks of afterlife. And why not? Who says heaven has to be populated by pale, thin harpists strumming dreary tunes? Day of the Dead celebrations envision heaven as a place of joyful excess.
With little prompting, I can see how I fit in with Rubenesque skeletons better than with my svelte and fit hiking friends. I won’t reveal my final choice until Fair day, but here’s a hint: I have treasured “Calaca” mask perched on my bookshelf ready for a stroll. Look for me somewhere along the parade route. Maybe you’ll be marching, too?
The parade’s theme is the Flowers of Wild Glen Ellen. Still, any kind of get-up is welcome: families frolicking, co-workers celebrating; drummers and musicians add excitement, dogs and children keep it heartwarming.
Giant flowers
Here’s a trip down memory lane: As for heart-warming, every year at fair time, I think of Mary Kate Dreyer parading with her young children dressed as giant flowers. Schoolgirls Gwen and Elizabeth walked with toddler Margaret and baby Bradley – what a grand family. Along with that good memory, I send them all love and best wishes today.
Parade pitcher seeks quorum
Getting back to this year’s fair, if you would like to march, or bicycle or trot, dance or ride in this year’s gala Glen Ellen Village Fair Parade, please call 933-9422 and tell Dawn Kemp that you are eager to join the parade. You can also email Dawn at MollyPichr@aol.com.
If you’re curious about Dawn’s email address, ask her about one of her heroes: Molly Pitcher was a courageous patriot of the Revolutionary War, a hero of Dawn’s. I bet Dawn will be happy to share more.
So much wilder then
While this year celebrates 24 years of our great Glen Ellen town party, it is a revived fair. Back in the 1950s and ’60s, there was another, wilder (or so I’ve heard) incarnation of our great town party. Jim Berkland, our local earthquake expert, has photos and even a few movies (I think) of those earlier fairs. From my point of view, they appear pretty tame, but legend has it that things got a bit out of hand back in the day and the good and gentle folks of our village abandoned the idea of a village fair, ’til current folks revived it. It’s nice to know that these days we still have plenty of good fun, but in a civilized, friendly manner, as befits our town.
After the parade
After the pomp and ceremony of the parade, the fun continues with food, craft and information booths, from more than 85 vendors. The good folks of the Glen Ellen Fire Association Auxiliary offer beer and wine tasting.
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