Dogwood Festival

We decided that since it was our last year in Charlottesville, we would attend the Dogwood Festival. It is an annual 2 or 3 week event and they have a queen, parade, carnival, breakfast...etc. We thought Josh may enjoy the carnival best.

There were only 2 rides there fit for toddlers---the cars that went around in a circle and the carousel. Tickets were $1 each and each ride cost 3 tickets---you do the math. EXPENSIVE!!! But the kids loved it. These pictures are both Natalie and Joshy's first ride alone. They had SO much fun! They cried when the ride ended.

Remember when carnivals were so cool? All those flashing lights and smells of candy and popcorn and rides? When did that go away? The only thing I enjoyed about this carnival was leaving. Now all I smell is smoke and beer and all I see are crazy pervs looking at my son. And those flashing lights look so gaudy and superficial. No wonder my parents didn't take us to fairs and carnivals very often. I don't blame them a bit.

The best part, for me (other than leaving) were the fireworks. There was no crowd, no fight in the parking lots with horns honking after the show..it was actually quite enjoyable. OR it would've been if Josh would have enjoyed them more (or at all). When they started he said, "OH, NO!" over and over again. Then he just burst into tears the remainder of the show. Ryan and I traded off in shifts during the 25 minutes. Why didn't he like them? Was it the noise, the cold, the fact that they started 1 hour after his bedtime? Maybe a combination of all 3? I think (and my mom can vouch for me) that I was afraid of fireworks, too. I hear that it's common among the youngsters. I hope he gets over it by the 4th of July-- 'cuz we're going back for more!!!