the Franklin festival!

It is the time and the season in the south to go to as many fairs, festivals, and carnivals that you can! Team Oakley cannot get enough of these culture rich festivities! We bask in the southern food, traditions, and people.

This festival is Team Oakley's FAVORITE! Every year we cannot wait to go and see all the art, booths, and bands. But with the craziness of the pregnancy and the business of life, we almost missed it! It was not until a few days before that we found out it was happening. We had already made some commitments, but we were determined to go. We were able to squeeze in a few hours on Saturday to get our fill of Franklin Fair goodness.

The day was BEAUTIFUL! the sun was out and everything was in bloom. We actually had to put sun screen on and we still got a little toasty by the end of the day.

We started at Cracker Barrel with Michael's parents, Craig and Josie. Happy bellies make for a happy day.

The colors of spring are breathtaking. We cannot get enough of the out doors and all it has to offer.

Here we are at the festival! When we pulled up, and finally found a parking place, Beka was so excited, she exclaimed, "It smells like fair!!!"

This was the 'beer tent' which neither of us participated in, being that Beka is 5 months pregnant :) No partying for Baby Oakley today, sorry bud. 

We entered on the street that had the majority of the food. The smells were wonderful! There were so many choices, and you cannot go wrong with anything there. Yum yum yum!!!

At last, after surveying all the wonderfully unhealthy but amazing options of fair food, Michael and Beka made their delicious decisions. Michael chose Jet's pizza and a coke. He was one happy Oakley.

Beka, being a vegetarian, had a bit of a harder time finding her grub, but alas landed on a veggie gyro. 

It was messy, overpriced, and so good :)

There were so many people there sharing in the experience with us. There was young and old, and it was so fun to be a part of something that so many people share once a year. 

All of these booths are vendors selling their handmade and unique goods. Everything from art, to collectables, knick knacks, and so much more. If you are a visual person, like Beka, and love to be entertained, like Michael, it was a wondrous place to be on a sunny saturday. There were new vendors offering fresh and exciting things that we had never seen, and there were repeat vendors that are still at their trade, years later. 

Our other favorite part (mostly on the Michael side of team Oakley) was all the live music and acts. All sorts of blues, blue grass, country, folk, and soul. We could have just sat and listened for hours. 

Here is a video of this fine band charming our ears. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugA3ekhMMo4

And this is a video of some youngsters just playing their little hearts out on the corner for a few extra bucks.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwIe300XU2w

It was the most wonderful day, and it filled a place in Team Oakley's hearts of the arts and culture. We would do this every weekend if we could, but alas, we must wait until next year. But you can be sure of this, we will be there when the festival returns to Franklin.

Thanks for sharing in our adventure!

Team Oakley