Festive Us

​Whether you celebrate Christmas, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Pancha Ganapati, Seinfeld's Festivus for the Rest of Us, or some other winter observance, this is a festive time of year. The lights, the sparkle, the special treats, the gatherings with people you love (or try to) all combine to brighten the season. 

​Now that I think about it, this whole year has been pretty festive. Sure, it's also been stressful in a lot of ways, but there's been a lot to celebrate and plenty of events centered around celebration. Though we didn't set out with this goal in mind, Ray and I ended up attending a record number of festivals this year, from the Baby Food Festival in Fremont to the Blueberry Festival in South Haven. 

​I've taken HeartWood readers along to some of these events, but looking back over the year, I realized there were several I hadn't shared with you.

​So take a break from the holiday bustle and join me as we hit the highlights. 

National Blueberry Festival, South Haven

Scenic South Haven on a summer day

Blossoms and boats

We arrived too late for most of the blueberry-themed events, so this guy and his offering were the only blueberries we saw

But we weren't too late to catch the car show

Shiny things -- always an attraction

A show-stopper

Grrrrrille

We enjoyed the balloon rides -- from the safety of the ground, looking up at the less acrophobic folks above

And we were just in time for the garden tractor pulls

Interesting to see how they modify these machines for competition

And how intense the competition can be!

An impromptu performance along the channel

Newaygo Logging Festival

A work-in-progress by Alonzo Montoya, who carved the bear that stands in front of our house

Timed chainsaw competition

Let the chips fall . . .

Log-rolling competition

Don't faaalllllll!

Rock painting: No clear connection to logging, but it appears to take just as much concentration as log-rolling

More of Alonzo Montoya's artistry

Detail from a bench carved by Alonzo

Muskegon Polish Festival

Plenty of this going on

This had to be the most colorful festival of the year

If you weren't wearing a flower wreath, you just weren't with it

She was with it

Polish pottery for sale

Polka partners

Me too, apparently. I took more photos at this festival than at any other.

The Kielbasa Kings kept the music going

I think this speaks for itself

No excuse for being wreathless

ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three

Pisanki for sale. I'll take a dozen!

I hope he's leading. Someone has to see where they're going.

And another thing . . .

Daj mi buzi!

Yeah! Pass the pierogi!

Serving 'em up

The perfect accompaniment to Polish food

My outfit for next year's Polish Festival?

Newaygo Christmas Walk

The Newaygo High School jazz band livened up the opening ceremony

The night was mild, but the bonfire still welcome

Decorations at the Newaygo County Museum & Heritage Center

Snowflakes in the old-fashioned schoolroom exhibit

A young visitor takes in the train and tiny town

The ice sculptor captivates Christmas walkers of all ages

Donuts in the making

River Stop Cafe looked warm and welcoming

You know you're in Newaygo when even the Christmas trees are wearing these

Shoppers and strolling carolers mingle in Flying Bear Books

Charlie sports a twinkly topper

MaryAnn enjoys the music

Sweet moment

A portrait of the (portrait) artist

The evening left us all aglow