Remember this? It was one of those unique island festivities that was a staple here during the summertime. We all have the round cement pavers in our gardens and walkways from years of attending this celebration. Remember the long tables set up and the constant cement being mixed in buckets and poured in plastic molds while we’d pick from all kinds of glass shapes and mosaic tiles to decorate them?
For those of you who never went to this in the past, it was a free hours-long shindig in the covered lumber-loading area and beyond. You’d walk in the store entrance past a table of rulers, flashlights, and doodads for kids. You’d pass the long line at the cashier because that day they offered 20% off all purchases, so people made the most of the discount. Walking toward the back lumber area outside, you’d pass the ever-present popcorn machine. Out the door, you’d see all kinds of familiar faces as locals lined up for hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, and soda. Past the tables of people eating and socializing, there was face painting, knife and scissor sharpening, and a fun band playing from the inside of a semi trailer – the Dustbunnies with Melody Funk belting out the lyrics, I believe. At certain times, there were hammering, hula hooping, and tape measuring contests with generous gift certificate prizes for adults and sports prizes for kids. And of course, tables and tables lined up for decorating cement stepping stones before they dried.
This celebration would be happening right around now, but I haven’t heard about it since before COVID times. For now, it’s one of those very unique Orcas memories, but I hope they bring it back!
See you out there today at Farmers Market and the Garden Tour!
I miss it too! My broken dishes have piling up over the years with hopes of someday being used anew in pavers.