Second Weekend

Following my first concert with the Farmington Valley Band on Thursday night (at the Gilbert School in Winsted) and taking off Friday, we went to the Daffodil Festival Parade in Meriden.  No evidence of a festival until we got to Hubbard Park where, at least at some time, there were 650,000 daffodils. They were clearly past their peak.

The parade was funky with a variety of units from women Hibernians to kung-fu fighters.  There were mini-cheerleaders, fife corps, a bagpipe band, and Shriners in their smelly little cars.  They threw lots of candy in our direction, but we resisted.  Except for one Werther's.  Promoters would like to think 100,000 people attend, but it was strictly locals as far as we could tell.  Here are some pics:

The rest of the festival, which consisted on a carnival, "craft" show, and an enormous food tent (don't forget your steamed cheeseburgers), wasn't for us so we headed home.  We did enjoy, however, all the beautiful flowering trees wherever we looked.  Our "Second Spring" has been a delight.

Saturday night we went to an opening at ArtSpace in Hartford.  A large building filled with studios, wedged between I-84 and Amtrack on Asylum Street.  The large exhibition hall was filled with displays by senior design students.  It felt almost more like a trade show, with bowls of buttons and bookmarks, stacks of resumes and loose-leaf portfolios.  The room was packed with parents and well-wishers and the food and drink were outstanding.  Here's a couple of pictures.  Click here to see more.

Sunday was another beautiful day and we drove up to Simsbury for the Simsbury Open Studios.  We began at the library where four of the artists were displaying their paintings and then followed the map to eleven home studios around town.  We had a great time exploring the countryside with the many old and beautiful homes, buildings and stone walls.

We found Flameg Farm, famous for being told that painting the word EGGS on the side of their barn was an illegal sign.  However, painting it backwards is considered Art and therefore okiedokie.

There were also a flock of guinea hens roaming the parking lot and a couple of draft horses munching on hay that Marie had to sketch.

John, Koda, and unidentified frolicker.

Here are a couple of artists we visited.  Click here to see more.

We saw them all in 2 1/2 hours, and then drove south to the West Hartford Art League.   This was only the second CT+6 exhibition and Marie was thrilled to have one of her horses chosen.  The idea was to attract artists from a wider region, thereby enhancing the reputation of the local organization.  Good plan.  Both the Saltbox gallery and the Clubhouse quickly filled up as the award ceremony was at 3.  Marie didn't win, but we met lots of people and a good time.  Click here for all the pics.

Marie with Horseplay

Inez Fallice with my favorite of the show.  After Marie's.