Saturday, I felt like I stepped into a Hallmark movie at my town’s Jonquil Jubilee Festival. It had all the elements of a wholesome, family-centered movie or story. The annual event brings vendors, tourists, and locals together to shop, eat, visit, roam, and learn. Of course, there is probably some drama underneath the friendly faces and laughter. I could have conjured up a protagonist or two with an antagonist lurking. Perhaps a romance or a mystery among those who roamed the closed off streets.
I attended the events of the day with my sister and parents. We began with a pancake breakfast provided by the Lion’s Club. Lots of visitors and area citizens mingled with the regulars. A few large tour buses entered the fray. Then, I followed my sister’s lead (she loves to shop and is really good at it) through the vendors dispensing my cash on bird houses and a colorful bench and table. This little sister has a bad influence on my pocketbook!
City Hall hosted a speaker, Shelly Redmond, who presented some interesting cooking facts for Louisiana recipes. Yummy! I purchased her cookbook “Skinny Louisiana in the Kitchen,” hoping to whip up some Cajun dishes on the light side. Her talk made us hungry which found us at the Gibsland Grill for gumbo and pulled pork sandwiches with buttermilk and chocolate chess pie. 
The rest of the afternoon included a driving tour to see the daffodils since Gibsland, Louisiana is the Daffodil Capital of Louisiana. Fields of lovely yellow and white festive flowers soaking up the sun after days of rain dotted the hilly landscape. A quick visit to the Stage Coach Trail Museum once again highlighted the long history of the area where my family had chosen to live and prosper since the 1840s.
I must admit the most unique event of the day was a tour of a tiny house on a farm. It almost made me trade my present renovated house for a 500 square foot house facing a huge pond surrounded by tall, pine trees. The owners say, “It has everything we need and nothing more.” The only problem I see is where would I put all my books!
I’m watching a Hallmark movie now and can visualize my day and its similar aspects. Small town life has its rewards especially at festival time.
Does your parish, county, or town have a celebration or festival that you enjoy?
I live in Franklin parish out in the country. Winnsboro has the Catfish Festival every year. Lots of crafts,fun and food.
On Mar 4, 2018 12:31 PM, “Connect in Fiction with Marguerite Gray” wrote:
margueriteg2016 posted: “Saturday, I felt like I stepped into a Hallmark movie at my town’s Jonquil Jubilee Festival. It had all the elements of a wholesome, family-centered movie or story. The annual event brings vendors, tourists, and locals together to shop, eat, visit, roam, “