We went to the St. Anthony Park Art Festival today. I didn’t know it existed but saw an ad about noon and suggested to Keith that we go. He voted yes but was still working on his project for the day – cutting out rotting boards from our deck so he could replace them. I told my sister he was doing it because previously you could walk anywhere you wanted on our deck without falling through, and what kind of game is that? So, one or the other. He figured he needs four new boards to cut up and fill the holes. Then I had the brilliant idea to suggest he redo the entire deck floor with composite boards, because maintenance free is my favorite thing. He was very intrigued. (I’m a thinker!) (Skip to the end – we checked out the options. It would be about $4000 for composite decking, plus Keith would have a big job to do. It will be about $150 for four boards and paint. I can do the painting, since I am out of work. We’re going with the composite) (HA! I lied! Just regular boards will be fine.)
We skittered our way through road construction season to find the art festival. As we went north on Snelling, we missed our exit onto Como because we were busy looking ahead at the State Fair grounds. We don’t usually go to the fair, but we have been there, so it was pretty easy to recognize. Interestingly to both of us, we don’t believe we have ever been by when the fair was not going on. It was super fun to see it (just from the street) empty – I always think a different perspective on anything is fabulous. Around the block we went, found our way, gawked at the fair site from Como Avenue, then got to the art fair.
What fun! It had such wonderful booths full of treasures created by nice people. We enjoyed the looking, and the chatting with the people. We enjoyed looking at the chalk art. I always like to imagine if I chalk arted something, it would be similar to the photo of today. Reality is it would be six wiggly pink lines and some green scrubbing, and then I would give up. I’ve met me. Keith encouraged me to pick something to get, but I wasn’t sure – and I know I don’t need anything – so we head for the car. There was a wonderful band playing (perfect for the venue) (Pig’s Eye band, I think I heard) (Pig’s Eye is the original name of St. Paul, if you didn’t know – or if you did know and were curious if I knew. I did) and I commented that we hadn’t danced (they were playing very danceable music and at least one couple was dancing off to the side). Keith did quite a little dance down the sidewalk, so that boxed was checked.
We got to the car, and I just stood outside of it. We have a rule about art festivals. We have to buy something. We must patronize someone, since the festival-ing itself is our entertainment. I said I felt bad about breaking the rule. We walked back. We bought earrings, although not the ones I thought we were going back for. We did the foxtrot past the band and all the way up the block (running steps most of the way and I didn’t mess up or fall down! Win!).
We were there too. My cousin bought something but I didn’t. Now I feel bad that I didn’t! Next time I will remember your rule. It makes sense to me!
It was a really nice fair, wasn’t it? I thought all of the booths were interesting. We made our rule years and years ago – sometimes it has helped us make a decision about a larger purchase, sometimes it is a small purchase. I so believe in supporting artists – you just can’t go wrong. It would have been fun to run into you. I will try to remember to wear my new earrings next trip to Bailey 🙂