As we celebrate our Independence Day (two days late from history, but this is traditional :-)), our town is having their annual Cherry Days event. This year, there are actually cherries! Some years, we have frozen; some years, they come later; and some years, like this one, they’re perfect. Sweet Black Bings (never shipped, and they’re only on for about a week), blushing Rainiers, regular Bings, and pie cherries are our fare. We always eat too much and get sick, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Sadly, today we missed the Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast, a fundraiser for the local volunteer fire department. We also missed the parade. High school reunions are traditionally during Cherry Days, and each class holding a reunion rides in the parade float, a car, a wagon, or wherever they can find room. Everyone with a riding horse is in the parade, and there are a lot of horse-drawn buggies and wagons. Usually, the ranchers who use horses to feed the cattle bring out hay wagons and give rides.
We went into town in the afternoon. I’m on the Historical Society Board, and this is our one and only fundraiser: an ice cream social at the museum. There are cookies, ice cream, and lemonade for a small fee. We have the museum and old Bowie schoolhouse open for visitors. We have no paid staff, either – it’s all volunteers.
There’s a carnival in the park, and the crowning of the high school Cherry Day King and Queen happens with much music and fanfare. The old tractors are on display (if they are not out in the fields working) as are old cars.
There were no fireworks this year. They have a habit of getting out of control, making for a more exciting display than desired. It’s a small town with rural Fourth of July events that are probably repeated all over this country today. However, because farming doesn’t obey human calendars, our hay guy was out there all afternoon baling. This is our small field, and he got it all done before dark.
I hope you all had a great day. Happy Birthday, America!