The Suggestion Box: Near North Happenings This Weekend

The Suggestion Box: Near North Happenings This Weekend
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Ok all you weekend warriors, with a full moon rising on Thursday all the accompanying madness, mood swings and emotional mayhem associated with the orb’s coming into full fruition should be out of the way leaving our lone natural satellite in a waning mode come Friday.

Nevertheless there’s still a bit of howling to be done as we head toward...

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...the second to the last weekend before Labor Day. According to the Accu-weather forecast located at the bottom of our Home Page it looks like Saturday might be bringing a scattering of thunderstorms to our area, but remember folks this is Mittenland, an area surrounded by the kind of geographic glitches that make prognosticating an iffy call at best.

Friday:

Several years ago at a Dogwood show featuring a group called Hot Club of San Francisco I was introduced to the musical magic that once emanated from Django Reinhardt. This gypsy-jazz sound was captivating and it drove me to instant fandom of the Django genre. There is much to know about Mr. Reinhardt, a compelling character from the pre WWII era that spawned some wonderful musical innovations.

However, we at N3 World Headquarters and Musicological Museum  will leave that to your own research and focus on the fact that Occidental Gypsy a group that captures the Django-inspired sound and deftly blends it with their own interpretations are to perform at the Dogwood this very Friday evening.

If you are an aficionado of magnificent musicianship, have a sense of adventure when it comes to eclectic entertainment, or just want to spend an evening being musically transported to what seems like another world, get thyself to the Dogwood this Friday.

And I only say this because I already have my ticket in hand.

Saturday:

It’s Birthday Time!

No, not N3 Subscriber and Sister to the Editor Sue. Her birthday is indeed Saturday but entails somewhat fewer years than the honoree we’re referring to.

Hesperia, the emerald gem of our county, is turning 150 this year and has been treated to a handful of celebratory events commemorating their sesquicentennial status. Saturday Weaver Park will be the site of “Down On The Farm- Hesperia 150” from 9am-8:30pm at Weaver Park, 80 S Division, in the village limits. 

The local area farm community knows how to put on a party and this retro-themed gig they’re hosting looks to be a boatload of family fun. In addition to a traditional Farmer's Market, there will be the ever popular petting zoo for young and old a, tractor show, games of skill, birthday cake, line dancing, wagon rides and a concert.

Want to see what a blacksmith’s shop looked like? How about a peek at what tools it took to farm before the advent of modern machinery? Always wanted to see what it might take to churn out your own butter?

Then is the event for you.

Shoppers can also sample the baked goods, peruse custom made soaps and lotions, purchase historical re-printed documents and maps, select from a variety of quality handmade crafts, buy fresh flowers, select a custom made arrow head, pick up an original watercolor, and take in the many other delights the market will offer.

And make sure you stop at The Fish Monger’s Wife. Hesperia graduate, Amber Mae Bengtsson-Petersen is the owner/operator of this epicurean enterprise where the wonders of whitefish, a variety of smoked delights and dips to die for are all available for your gastronomic gratification.

Games of skill, such as Splat a Rat, Guess How Many, and Treasure Dig will amuse and challenge participants to win prizes and a make-and-take booth will provide instructions and supplies to create an old world style twig doll as well as how to make a pool noodle light saber.

The fete runs all day and into the evening with line dancing instruction, birthday cake, ice cream, a pig roast, a concert and….and….

Look, there’s a lot of cool stuff to do and see and hear and taste and just enjoy and it’s an outstanding way to capture a little farm village history. There’s a covering for the market area so this is a rain or shine event and besides would a little rain have deterred our forefathers and foremothers from farm festivities? I think not.

One can only imagine how high a bar a gala of this magnitude might set  for those who will be tasked with planning the bicentennial birthday bash in 2066.

Sunday:

The Guinness Brothers, one of the Driftwood’s cadre of bands who keep Crotonites and their visitors entertained throughout the summer, will be echoing their music across the pond Sunday afternoon. A seat on the deck during these daylight doings is primo not only for the view and the tunes but for the bevy of good eats offered up by a most hospitable squad of servers.

Ok Near Northians  There’s your guide to a trio of trendy tours you can take on the road to some summertime fun.
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Oh and happy birthday Sis. You most likely won’t be playing any Splat A Rat (whatever that might be) but hopefully there’s a little cake time coming your way.

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