Sunday, October 4, 2009
What a weekend! School was closed for the Autum Leaf Festival in Clarion. It’s a major event in this part of the country. Friday is the Farmers and Crafters Sale and Saturday is the ALF Parade. Both events draw thousands and thousands of people, partly because ALF is combined with Clarion University’s Homecoming. For Friday, we had a vendor booth in the Catholic school gym, which we set up on Thursday evening. I don’t enjoy being outside on the street because the weather can be bad. Unfortunately this year the weather was really bad. It rained on and off most of the day and by late afternoon, it was pouring. While we were inside, warm and dry, it drove away the customers and so our sales were down as well. Another disappointing day.
But the weather cleared up for Saturday and we had good business at the farm. Most came in after the parade in Clarion. Paul got to take out about 6 hayrides and the pumpkins were flying out the door. We enjoyed talking to folks from all over, especially the ones who came and stayed for hours. The cornbox was a big hit as usual and parents seemed to be content just to let their kids play while they sat on the benches and relaxed. The hay mountain, dubbed Paul’s Peak, was another favorite spot and after so many kids had crawled all over it, it started to look slightly eroded. Our friend Bill Stumpf is an excellent storyteller and he came to entertain our guests. He tells tall tales about Gib Wilson from the oil rush days in Franklin and Oil City. He had us all laughing.
Sunday started out slow because the weather couldn’t make up its mind. It looked like rain again, but it held off and we had some brave souls venture out. Actually for being in the 50s, we had a good crowd. Paul ran about 4 hayrides and we again enjoyed visitng with all the local folks who came out. I went on the last hayride with my friends Mary Ann and Rodger who came with their grandson Carter. I couldn’t help but notice that the leaves are starting to show really nice color now. The splashes of color among all the green leaves are so vibrant.
Our pumpkin painting contest was today. We had two contestants and Matt and Danielle painted pumpkins as well. Our winner got a $10.00 gift certificate for our store and she seemd very pleased. I decided to do it again the next couple Sundays. I guess we need to adverrtise our contests more.
Our son Matt came in from Arizona on Saturday morning to help us during the whole month of October. What a Godsend! He is so full of great ideas and has the energy to make them happen. Hopefully, we can get some more signs painted while he is home. His fiance, Lisa, is flying in on Wednesday and I’m having a bridal shower for her next Saturday at the Pumpkin Patch. It should be a good time, if the weather cooperates.
Hoping for a sunny, warm day,
Linda