…that’s enjoyed by people and critters alike…
…it’s also the centerpiece of a beautiful celebration…
…known as the Barberton Mum Fest.
Celebrating its 20th year…
…Lake Anna Park was decorated with 20,000 chrysanthemums…
…involving 21 varieties set up in colorful patterns.
Wherever I looked, there were mums to be seen…
…along the sidewalks…
…overhead…
…at local businesses…
…around festival vendors…
…and even as part of a sand sculpture.
With rows of vendors set up all around the park…
…festival goers crammed counters for crafted items…
…holiday decor…
…flowery decor for your home…
…flowery decor for your head…
…and even some flowery decorated cupcakes for your tummy (Lofty Cupcake).
Food-wise, the festival had a nice variety with basic festival fare…
…famous Barberton fried chicken (Devore’s Hopocan Gardens)…
…and a huge fried bologna sandwich booth at the Masonic Temple…
…which also turned out to be famous.
…like Pat Catan’s mum arts and crafts tent…
…a variety of jump houses…
…musical entertainment…
…various forms of sculpting…
…and even a water ski show.
…you could stop at the mum sale…
…to pick a souvenir or two before going back home.
…I was there during the 100th birthday celebration of Chief Hopocan‘s statue…
…where I took my souvenir in the form of birthday cake.
…didn’t have a flower to commemorate my experience at the Mum Fest…
…I admit that I greedily went back for a second with not only a flower, but an extra smearing of frosting.
And it was soooo worth it!
.
One of the best festivals this whole year!!! Great people, happy, pleasant, all around great time!!! Thanks for the shout out !!! See you all next year!!! Blessings! Leslie Butler- the lofty cupcake
Beautiful place, mums and the cake looks yummy! Looks like a great little town to visit!