---New Bern Sun Journal
The male gospel group we saw performing at The Galley was a highlight--super voices and harmony, ending with the lively O'Jays hit "Love Train" with local place names incorporated.
This year, though, seemed like there was a superfluity of booths with low-end jewelry; Avon, Tupperware, and Mary Kay; and fried turkey legs. One good photographer had a booth...but, this isn't a craft show, after all. Lots of people wearing the GOP candidate stickers, few with the Dems'. Supporters of "A Child is a Gift from God" were across the street from supporters of the "Mountain to Sea Trail." Enjoyed a few minutes watching some youths in a (sanctioned and officiated) wrestling match. We skipped the Christian rock concert in the early evening--with a comparatively steep separate admission charge of $20 ("Kutless having just over 1.5 million albums sold and Sidewalk Prophets fresh from winning New Artist of the Year at the 2010 Dove Awards").
Speaking of charges, lemon shake-ups seemed price-fixed at $5--I think they're $3 at the Ohio State Fair--so I skipped that usual fair favorite. $5 for water, sugar, and half a lemon? That led Tim to suggest one could do an insider's guide to fair concessions, but I think that would involve sampling far too many funnel cakes, bloomin' onions, buttefly potatoes, and sausage sandwiches.
We walked the entire Mum Fest route in gorgeous weather. Then, when we were ready to cross the river to our parked car, the drawbridge seemed to be malfunctioning. Even when no boats were passing, traffic wasn't allowed over. So, with everyone else who'd intended to walk back, we got in the long line for the Water Taxi, starting to feel hot and tired, but enjoying the view.
Finally, the bridge closed, and we trudged back in the line of those leaving the Fest, weary but contented. Weirdly, we were behind the very same four young people whom we'd followed across the bridge TO the event three hours earlier. Mum Fest Twilight Zone?
Hooray for Mum Fest, for the people-watching alone. As we left, one mother said to her family in a Southern accent, "I ain't goin' on no ride." We didn't, either.
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