North Fork Fall Festival ~ October 4, 2008

Rainy Day Festival Booths

The North Fork Fall Festival happens yearly on the first Saturday in October. It occurs on the same day as the Grizzly Century Bike Ride here in our mountain community. Fall Festival activities include the Women's Club Crafts Fair & Yard Sale, the Fine Arts Show, the Forest Service Employees Association Dinner, the Sierra Mono Museum open house, the History Group display and the Antique Engine display.

This year the weather did not cooperate with us, as it poured down rain most of the day, so many of these usual events did not take place. However, due to the hearty spirit of the Women's Club and a few of the planned vendors, the Crafts Fair & Yard Sale did go on as scheduled.

Attendence was very low. Only 4 of the 32 signed up booth vendors decided to brave the rain and mud to set up their tents. The customer crowds were also thin this year compared to years past.

I myself decided not to set up my booth in the rain, but I did stay awhile to shop and take a few photos to share with you on this NF News Blog.

Here are a few scenes from the 2008 North Fork Fall Festival Crafts Fair:



Women's Club Booth


Handmade hats, gloves, potholders etc



Other useful handmade items for sale



Women's Club Nut Breads ~ looked delicious



More delicous baked goods for sale ~ popcorn too!



Daffodil Bulb Gift Packs ~ offered by the Women's Club



The Indian Taco booth was more popular than this photo shows

Three yard sale vendors braved the rain, cold and mud to set up and sell their wares:


Largest Yard Sale tent ~ nice selection of household goods

The vendor shown in the above photo had two big trucks and a trailer to haul in all of their items.


A smaller selection of items, but still just as hearty!



Some unique items could be found at this yard sale booth. See photo below:



Beautiful gourd art, antique iron and useful apple peeler


It was a smaller turnout than usual due to the rainy cold day, but still some bargains could be found. Everyone had fun shopping and visiting. A nice way to spend a rainy day in a quaint setting.

© Copyright 2008 North Fork News

Remember

About this Photo

Today is the 7th anniversary of 9/11.

Remember.....and work for peace.


© Copyright 2008 North Fork News

Fresno Greek Festival ~ August 22, 2008

Pleasant Patio Dining

Here a few photos from the annual Greek Festival held on the grounds of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the nearby city of Fresno.

There were drinks available in the form of beer, mixed drinks and soft drinks. Also Greek and regular coffee to have with your dessert.


Beer & Wine Booth


Fancy Bar Booth featuring Greek Ouzo


View of the crowd and booths from the fancy bar area

In the photo below you can see where you can visit when you drink too much and nature calls. The festival organizers went all out for their guest's comfort. This is the first time I have seen actual "his" and "hers" porta potties at a local event. The blue ones were for men to use, the tan colored ones were for women.


Potter's Potties ~ both men's and women's

Along with the drinks there was delicious food available. You could buy the complete dinner plate for $15 or you could purchase items a la carte. Here's a photo of the dinner line inside the multi purpose room of the church.


Traditional Greek dishes attracted a crowd of hungry people

Outside you could buy smaller plates of food or single items at the many food booths on the grounds. A new item this year was Greek Feta Fries.

Food Booths


Food Booth Signs

There were many places to sit and dine in comfort. They had chairs and tables available both in the front of the festival as shown below on the patio, and also in the back by the musicians and the dancers.

Front Patio Dining Area

There were many Greek desserts to indulge in after our dinner. Below you see the traditional Greek cookies called Koulourakia, but we also sampled some Baklava and Loukomades, both dripping with honey sweetness.


There was shopping! Lots of goods from Greece and also things made here in the US by Greeks who live here.


Vendor Booths


Beautiful & Functional Ceramic Art


Greek Religious Icons & Monastery Honey for sale


Carefully working the register



Fancy Jewelry and Baubles


Greek Fisherman's Cap & World's Greatest "Grandpa" Cap

The Greek Nuns had many wonderful handmade products for sale. Wonderful multi grain fresh breads and jams. They had hand dipped beeswax candles, lovely soaps, oils and lotions. Visiting with the nuns was very pleasant and informative.

Handmade Products

Greek music both traditional and modern blared from the large speakers in the dancing area in back of the festival. Dressed in traditional Greek garb, Kopi Sotiropulos, weatherman for channel 26 in Fresno was m/c and general entertainer. Here he is instructing the crowd in Greek dancing. He's the one in the white skirt.

Go Kopi!

Dancers in fancy costumes entertained us with their intricate footwork.

Costumed Dancers in a circle

We had a wonderful time and will be back next year!

The Fresno Greek Festival is held in August of each year. For more information about it please visit the Fresno GreekFest Website.

© Copyright 2008 North Fork News

North Fork Mountain Classic Car Show ~ August 9th

A Real Beauty!

Some scenes from the 2008 North Fork Mountain Classic Car Show and pancake breakfast held at the North Fork Recreation Center.

First the outdoor breakfast on a nice sunny Saturday morning:


Expert Pancake Cooks



More Delicious Pancakes



Organized Breakfast Crew



Breakfast Seating

Then the classic vehicles of many types:


Classic Motorcycles


More Classic Bikes


Flashy Boats


With Original Names, or not...

Many, many cars & trucks:























A pleasant morning spent outdoors.



© Copyright 2008 North Fork News