I think this may be everyone’s favorite part of the summer.
Farmers’ markets and produce stands have the cream of their summer crops available. Gardeners are gleaning the results of their hard work. Some may even be getting started on their fall crops, with trays full of seedlings in a favorite window or in a small greenhouse. We started late in our family garden, here at Mountain Meadows, so I may have to concentrate on starting my cool weather crops.
Visiting the pools, parks, and family are back on the schedules. This is also the season for yard sales, signs popping up every weekend directing passersby to find that much needed treasure. The Fulks Run Ruritans July Yard Sale is a huge annual favorite, for vendors and customers alike. It was another roaring success this year! For all us “treasure” hunters, we can’t forget the annual Route 11 Crawl, coming up again on August 14th.
When we first moved here, everyone talked about the summer lawn parties. This brought to mind the fabulous garden parties of the Great Gatsby era, with the well heeled strolling around, dressed in white, drink in hand. Not at all what I discovered here! Every town, it seems, has its own summer lawn party, an annual tradition- food, fun, games, bouncy houses, bingo, cake wheels, music, and beauty pageants! Familiar faces are seen at each one, neighbors making the rounds to each town’s lawn party. Dedicated volunteers work hard every year to make sure a wonderful time is had by all who attend.
When I was a child, I recall the fun of summers at my grandparent’s cottage in Rhinebeck, NY. I looked forward to the Dutchess County Fair, The Catskill Game Farm, swimming at Lake Taconic (Taghkanic), hiking in the woods to aunts and uncles who lived just up the hill. This welcome respite from suburbia was something I looked forward to every year, always yearning for it to be permanent.
I have finally found that permanence here, my own grandchild gets to experience the year ‘round pleasures of living in the Shenandoah Valley. Summers here are swimming in the Shoemaker River, going to the pool, parks, the fairs, and walking in our own woods.
The Rockingham County Fair is a big summer draw, and let’s not forget the Bergton Fair- “the biggest little fair anywhere”. I think the biggest little fair has been an ongoing tradition for 70 years, although covid forced them to cancel last year. This year though, the fair is back on again, August 10-14, with music every night, rides, beauty pageant, food, and prize winning crafts, produce, and floral exhibits!
Summer here in the valley offers so much, even if you are just sitting on your porch, sipping a sweet tea, or a cold one, enjoying the weather.
I hope you are all enjoying your summer, as we are here at Mountain Meadows.
