Fair and Hot

Mattie, James and myself went to Muskogee, OK this morning.  We went to visit The Castle.  The Renaissance Festival was going on and I had never been.  It wasn't a bargain to get in but there sure was lots to look at and take pictures of.

Here is a photo of my youngest and her hubby enjoying one of the shows.

Here is what she was watching.

This was a long build up and two different volunteers to get to this point.  The man balancing on the ball then picked up his whip and snapped off the end of the foam stick the lady was holding in her mouth.  I was just entertained by the fact that he was wearing tights.  I don't know if I could ever get "used" to men wearing tights.  I wanted to laugh every time I saw it today. 

When that show was over we strolled off looking for the next bit of entertainment. 

This large man, that was still trying to get dressed, demanded that we stop.  He was a bit irritated that I moved as far as the shade.  He said he wanted to sing to us.  OH BOY! 

He sang to me and then he sang to Mattie.  I was too busy laughing to get any photos while he was singing to me, but I got a few when he sang to Mattie. 

She had the same reaction to Angus as I did. 

We stopped and watched some belly dancers.  They were good.  I would NEVER be brave enough to do something like this!

There was a parade, that I missed most of because, I was too busy trying to take pictures in the little church.  But there was so much commotion involved, I gave up on the church and caught the end of the parade.

Once the last person involved in the parade walked past I noticed a few others that had been watching from the balcony above. 

I do not know how they wear all that stuff in the Oklahoma heat.  There might be plenty of skin showing but each costume has several layers.  Then to put a hat on top of it all?  I would be a big wet puddle of melted Debbie. 

There were so many people there in costume!  All the employees were very friendly. 

That last photo above was of the "King".  He had the look of a painting I have seen of Henry.  He had the girth for it!  I wish I had been fast enough to get a photo of him before he walked off.  *sigh*

There was a beautiful Peacock that held still for me.  I think he might have been posing.

I love the blue on this bird!   

We didn't stay more than a few hours.  It was just too hot and it was getting very crowded.  I think if I go again I will hope for a cooler day.  I don't know that it will ever be any less crowded.  The festival is only open for a few weekends and it is very popular.  We took the back roads on the way home and I had to take a picture of these old water towers.

The Children's Home that I grew up in had a farm in this small town.  I never visited it so I don't know if the place is still there or not.  I do know there are some good peaches that come out of Porter, OK.  (aka Peach Capital)  I don't remember hearing about any late frost this year so I hope that means there will be a bumper crop later this summer.