This weekend marked the annual Cow Days celebration here in Smalltownland. Started in the Great Depression, it began as a way to lure business into town. Merchants would give away tickets to their customers. The winning ticket holder would receive a cow, a significant reward during those times. Even today, a calf is given away to a winning ticket holder.
The festival faded away, but was revived in 1973 by our Rotary Club. It has continued to thrive through the years. For two days you can shop for crafts, listen to local bands perform, and eat until your heart is content.
This picture shows just a small portion of the people on our historic town square. Our new judicial center looms in the background.
Toots really got into the spirit of the festival by having her face painted in a Holstein theme.
Today I believe I survived the longest parade of my life. I saw more tractors, horses, beauty queens, Shriners, and the list could just go on and on. Candy was throw to the crowd from politicians and church clubs alike.
The high school homecoming floats were featured this year. Our high school mascot, a dragon, is shown here with our historic courthouse behind it.
This is just one of the most handsome mules ever. He and his partner are typically in parades in our area. They are always dressed in their Sunday best.
This gentleman is a huge talent. He creates gorgeous pottery and always takes the time to teach children his craft.
The high school homecoming floats were featured this year. Our high school mascot, a dragon, is shown here with our historic courthouse behind it.
This is just one of the most handsome mules ever. He and his partner are typically in parades in our area. They are always dressed in their Sunday best.
This gentleman is a huge talent. He creates gorgeous pottery and always takes the time to teach children his craft. 
At the end of our day, Toots and I went into a wonderful, old church to check out the quilt show. We took our time and examined all of the fine work on display.
I have to say that I am totally "cowed" out until next year.
Festivals held in small towns are so much fun! Looks like your had quite a variety of events.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fabulous parade! Love your photo of the tractors. Hurrah for Small towns.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun day! I like the idea of getting candy thrown at my from the floats in the parade!
ReplyDeleteA friend and I hit several yard sales today. A subdivision up the road a piece had a community yard sale. Everyone was talking about the many festivities going on around the country.Cow Days was mentioned. Those foks must have been there some time in the past. I wasn't that familiar with your festival until they mentioned it today.Looks like everyone was having lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!! I do love a festival and craft show of any kind!I remember when I was young and the firemen in our town would drive around and throw candy on Halloween Day...your post brought back that memory...thanks!
ReplyDeleteNow I know that serious mules have Sunday attire, and a very elegant one. The potter and the 'clown' are very good portraits!
ReplyDeleteit seems to be very pleasant your party!
ReplyDeletealthough personally I'm not what to do with the cow won!
thank you for sharing your adventures!
Bye...
I think I'd take a pass on the parade. There are just so many tractors I can take. hahahaha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time...so glad they revived the tradition...it's a good one.
ReplyDeletelooks like lot 'o country fun! i think i'd be set for the entire year too!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou take some great pictures! The one of the tractors is fabulous and so is the one of the quilts. I sounds like a great smalltown day.
ReplyDeleteThis is great. It's so nice to see towns and people continuing with events like this. Great pics also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including my home church in the blog. I stood opposite that front pew many times in pageants, and seven years ago as Little Sister's Maid of Honor. Here's a little trivia: the floor is supported by two large beams of tulip poplar wood, essentially two whole trees.
ReplyDeleteLiving in a small town that hosts things like this are so much fun! The mules are gorgeous (not sure I've ever said that before) and such talent in the making of the quilts. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love a parade?!
ReplyDeleteAnd quilts?!
I know you and Toots had a great time.
Looks like a good time was had by all! I popped over from Southern Belle Simple to say hi!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt show and all the quilts laying across the pews.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a parade like this ..small town life at its best. Did you buy one of those pretty quilts?
ReplyDeletePat - The quilts were out for show only. I was able to vote for my favorite, but none were for sale. Many were antiques.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a small town. Left for 15 years and then returned to take over a business. Twenty five years later , the town has all but dried up. Small town America is vanishing.
ReplyDelete