Autumn Pioneer Festival
Every fall I like to visit the Autumn Pioneer Festival because it reminds me of how self sufficient people had to be during the westward expansion of our country. It makes me feel a little bit wistful that I was born into an age of modern convenience. Of course, the feeling passed when I saw the surgeon’s tent!
A Gentle Reminder
I think we all need a reminder occasionally of just how cushy most of our lives are these days. I realize that there are many people in the world who live in very primitive conditions and there are many in the US who are poor and suffering. But the majority of our society seems to think that having anything less than a smart phone, a new car, and granite counter tops is a terrible way to live.
I don’t blame people for wanting the new gadgets and trends, but I’ve really never understood it either. I tend to like vintage dishes, furniture, and clothing from the 30′ through the 50’s, myself. Probably because it reminds me of my Grandparents and their very old houses.
As a kid I thought I couldn’t live without horses, ever. I loved the smell of the hay mow and black walnut hulls, rainstorms and ripe apples. Living on a farm taught me to appreciate the little things in life and just how tenuous our existence is on this good earth.
And that is something the pioneers would have lived with each day of their lives. To grow all of your food, build a sod hut for your family, and to fear a hard winter without enough food to make it until spring…these things would make a person so thankful for the little gifts in life.
So when you get a chance, think about how difficult life has been for people through the ages, and remind yourself of just how fortunate you are!
This festival sounds wonderful (minus the surgeon tent lol). But that too can remind us of just how fortunate we are today. This was a lovely post.
Thanks so much, Ann! You know, the funny thing is that the surgeon’s tent was one of the most popular attractions for the youngsters! I think maybe it was second only to the hatchet throwing lessons. 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
I love going to these types of events that are pioneer related. Love the pictures. We all should be seriously preserving some of our own foods. Thanks for sharing Visiting from Creative Home & Garden Hop
Hi Marla,
I love them too! Thanks so much for visiting me! You are so right about putting up our own food!
Hi Lisa
I love seeing all your photos from Pioneer Festival – well maybe not the bloody surgeon’s one! The first photo with the giant kettles hanging above the fire is wonderful. My kid were asking whether we could get a new electric kettle this week because our current one is too noisy, and they can’t hear the telly when it’s on the boil. I can’t wait to shown them this picture!
Have a great week
Wren x
Hi Wren!
It was fake blood! 😉 I’m sure the cast iron kettle would be much quieter! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
love anything about the old days / wonderful post 🙂
Thanks, Deb!
Very Nice pics! I love festivals like this.
Thank you very much, Lynn! So do I. 🙂
A beautiful post – thank you SO MUCH for sharing! We have a similar festival at the end of this month & I can’t wait to attend. You & I are much the same in our desire for the simpler, slower (albeit sometimes harder) life from ‘back then’.
~Taylor-Made Ranch~
Wolfe City, Texas
Very happy to share the photos and my thoughts! Have fun visiting the festival!