Snake Valley Festival--Part Two

This is a continuation of the Snake Valley Festival report. If you missed the first part, click here!

Booths were set up along main street, and one of the larger ones was the used book booth. There were all sorts of books, from childrens to books on tape and all genres. There was also some delicious lavender lemonade and plants. In this photo, they're still setting up the booth, so there aren't people around.

This booth had some beautiful rocks and jewelry for sale. I didn't manage to get a photo of every booth, but there were cookies, crocheted blankets and other crafts, turquoise jewelry, Fish Springs t-shirts, local honey, cookbooks, and Snake Valley telephone books (because Snake Valley encompasses five counties in two states, no commercially produced telephone book covers it all!).

Now the booths are getting some customers!

The Snake Valley cookbook contains a wonderful assortment of recipes. It will soon be available for purchase through the Internet, and I'll give details when I learn them.

Here's a little cowgirl enjoying some lunch.

The shaded picnic tables were crowded as people felt their stomachs grumbling.

Food options included pizza,

burgers, hot dogs, juice, and beer.

Over on the lawn at Baker Hall, I found one very wet little boy. He was happy about it, though.

He had just played Soak Your Sweetheart and was about to get his revenge. In this clever rendition of a dunk tank, one person sits on a lawn chair under a basket holding a water balloon. When the thrower hits the target, a nail pierces the balloon, drenching the person sitting underneath. The thrower has to pay $1 to throw 3 bean bags, and the target has to pay $1 for the honor. Amazingly, there was no shortage of people willing to play. I guess it helps to be in the desert!

Wearing a hat could help a little--but not much!

There were also free kids' games with prizes. The all-time classic ring toss was a hit.

Lots of kids (and a few adults) also participated in the parachute game.

Later another game arrived: toss the toilet paper into the toilet bowl. It was fun to watch!

Inside Baker Hall there was free entertainment.

Glenn Terry read some of his cowboy poetry. He sure has a way with words.

In the back part of the room was a silent auction. It doesn't look too busy now, but...

...after some more cowboy poetry (with a good dose of humor),

singing and music acts,

the silent auction got downright crowded! It really brought out the competitive spirit of some people

In the evening was the barbeque, live auction, and dance. I am sorry to say that I forgot my camera (it was a long day!). Perhaps someone else got some photos and I'll post them.

Anyway, the barbeque lived up to its expectations, with absolutely mouth-watering food. The live auction was entertaining, and the dance was a lot of fun. Desert Boy even got to dance with a couple little girls his age.

There were a few more events on Sunday, with the pancake breakfast delivering a delicious start to the day, a bike ride for those up early, a continuation of the SnakeDance film festival that had started the day before at the Border Inn, and a night sky program at Great Basin National Park.

Over the entire festival, almost $10,000 was raised!! That sure beat everyone's expectations, and will certainly help protect Snake Valley. More than that, the festival was a wonderful community event, and it was so good to see neighbors, meet visitors, and have a lot of fun.

We'll be meeting soon to decide if there should be a second annual Snake Valley Festival.

I have to end with a couple parting shots--the part of the festival rarely seen: the cleanup!

Boy, some of that parade candy sure was sticky!

Hopefully we'll be back next year, and we hope to see you!