The big day finally arrived! After all the hard work, it was very exciting to open Islandshire's first-ever Wool Show. (All proceeds support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Conservation Fund.) There are so many fun photos and stories that it will take multiple days to post everything. In fact, it's going to take three posts today just to get it all up before the week is over!
The barns and midway were so quiet when we got there that you could hear the birds singing in the trees. Eliot and I were the first to arrive (too excited to feel how tired we were from the setup the day before). We had be first in, of course, but we also needed to get our sheep in place ahead of the crowds. Albie (the lamb) and Sheepie (black) were quite excited to be displayed in their nice pen, but Berengaria (white) wasn't sure that she liked a lot of people staring at her.
The barns and midway were so quiet when we got there that you could hear the birds singing in the trees. Eliot and I were the first to arrive (too excited to feel how tired we were from the setup the day before). We had be first in, of course, but we also needed to get our sheep in place ahead of the crowds. Albie (the lamb) and Sheepie (black) were quite excited to be displayed in their nice pen, but Berengaria (white) wasn't sure that she liked a lot of people staring at her.
Eliot went straight to the concession area to help some of the boys who had arrived to set up their stalls, while I went into the Wool Shop to prepare for customers.
Let's start out by introducing everyone who showed up. And we'll do it in a sort of Louella Parsons style. (Not quite a Gone with the Wind premiere, but we'll do our best.) Mabel and SarahBeth arrived looking very happy and ready to volunteer wherever we needed them. SarahBeth took on the task of selling admissions tickets, and Mabel volunteered to handle the door-prize side of things.
It wasn't long before the concession stands were all set up and ready to go. Finger foods were definitely the order of the day, and the boys seemed ready to handle even the heaviest of rushes. Harold and George had set up the Merry Men's Blue Boar stand (think Robin Hood with Richard Greene) featuring burgers, sandwiches, pizza and fries. Our resident Texan Audie had set up his renowned Tex-Mex stand (with help from Eloy). For drinks and a touch of sweets, Sun-Ho (with help from his sister, Masami) opened his Fruit Stand, offering everything from yogurt to lemonade. Brandon had set up lots of garbage cans and recycle bins, so Concession Row was ready for customers!
Back at the Admissions booth . . . Natalya, Brighton and Georgiana (my special visiting friends) were the first spectators to arrive. And don't they look beautiful, all that red hair and everything?! I just love the cherries . . .
Natalya and Brighton wanted to see the sheep first, so they headed over to the barn area to say "hey" to my three beauties! Berengaria didn't mind them at all, because they were old friends . . .
Georgiana had woken up late and hadn't had time for breakfast, so she headed right over to "say hello to the boys". They all wanted to serve the first customer, but it takes Georgiana a long time to make decisions. She didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but she was awfully hungry . . .
Trudy was the next guest to arrive. She's the reporter and proprietor of Islandshire's only newspaper, The Islandshire Gazette (and a very important guest to have at any function). Of course, you knew that, because of the pencil in her hair. (Styling tip, ladies -- it only works in hair like Trudy's.) Trudy has to sit down a lot, because that backpack weighs a ton, so she centered herself across from the Admissions booth and waited for the crowds to arrive.
Click photos to enlarge.
Pete and Jerri arrived next, dressed for action. Pete told me he had his backpack loaded with suntan lotion, so it looks like they're prepared to be here all day. Jerri headed right to the Fruit Stand, while Pete made a beeline toward the sheep. (By the way, you probably noticed Jerri's med-alert bracelet. As a diabetic, she is very careful to select just the right snacks to keep her sugar leveled out.)
After this, a lot of guests were really starting to arrive and things were getting busy. Lori and Kelly were there to enjoy their three favorite things: animals, shopping and food (not necessarily in that order).
After admiring the sheep (important things first), Kelly went over to grab a piece of Mickey Mouse pizza (Disney nut that she is), while Lori went off in search of a cold lemonade. (Lori will drink more lemonade as the day wears on. It's a good excuse to sit down. Beats having to admit that you're just plain tired.) Kelly found her pizza and Marie-Simone, one of Islandshire's new arrivals, who looked cool and colorful in her Caribbean print.
Click photos to enlarge.
And here we have Nachito buying a big tray of Nachos (what else?) from Audie, while Mina went in search of her favorite coconut drink at Sun-Ho's stall. (Isn't that a darling way, girls, to show off those beautiful curls?!)
Lori arrived back at the sheep pen first, having agreed to meet Kelly here before lunch. Who did she find instead? Sonja, our resident German girl! They hadn't seen each other in a while so had a lot to talk about. How can they hear each other, with all that other stuff going on in the background?
Back at the Admissions booth, the latecomers were beginning to arrive. Mariamne (pronounced "Marianne"), in her brand new Orient-inspired outfit with a roomy purse, had popped in to do some Christmas shopping at the wool shop. Mabel made sure that she entered the drawing for the door prize, but Mariamne didn't have much time to stop and chat.
Ladies, does it get any cuter than our next arrival?! Just look at that baby! Harold's baby sister, Truannie, arrived with Gabriela (who had drawn the long straw for babysitting while Harold was busy today). I think that (as Islandshire's only infant citizen and the cutest of babies) Truannie created as much of a stir as any exhibits or competitions! Did I tell you that Eliot and I are her godparents? I didn't? Well, we are . . .
Click photos to enlarge.
The midway filled quickly in the afternoon, and a number of other friends were spotted arriving in their best "bib and tucker". See if you can spot Amabel, Toni, Jacqui, Eydie, Janie, Kitty, Nanea and Benny. The chicken on the leash? What? You haven't met Flossie yet? That's Nanea's most precious of pets . . . and, I might add, the most unusual chicken you've ever seen . . . and Janie loves her almost as much as Nanea does . . .
It seemed like a good time to get the show underway, since 35 attendees is about all the show could handle!
Check back later today for Part 2 (which includes the whole scoop about Brighton's shopping dilemma)!
Check back later today for Part 2 (which includes the whole scoop about Brighton's shopping dilemma)!