and so it continues, Wednesday edition
nd so it Continues… Wednesday’s edition. The blog was getting too long, so I am breaking it up. Here’s what happened today (go back to the last blog if you’d like to get Sunday thru Tuesday’s blog and pics).
Got up nice and early, around 6ish, getting all the final pieces to take out to the grounds. Jack met me there and helped me unload the car. Got the rental company set up with what buildings were getting what tables and chairs and then started opening all the dozens of boxes in which we had our displays stored. Once we got them all opened, then we started the sorting process for the more than 200 displays. We show them by theme, like Tourism, Sports, Irish Life, The Arts, military and political and more. Kathy and her sister Vickie showed up out of the blue and I was sooo happy to see them. We got all the displays sorted, then started putting them up on easles, the walls and special props we have made. After a break for lunch, my nephew Anthony showed up and since I wasn’t able to bend at all, he got my socks and shoes on for me and I could finally lose the flip flops. Kathy and Vickie had to go, but right then, Maureen called, she was on her way.
Jack was joined by John, and my B in Law John, and my nephew John and another John - I am not kidding, it was Anthony and 6 guys named John ! Maureen and Anthony helped me get the displays placed and Jack and John adhered them. My B in law John, got an extension ladder and hung 40 flags.
A really cool new display, on Irish-America in Hollywood, just stands out - Maureen created the display from a display done by the Milwaukee Irish Fest. - it is more than 30 feet long and really stands out. You can see it below, dead center and going left, but I’ll get a better pic of it tomorrow
More than 40 phone calls on hotel issues, performer issues and people calling in to ask if we have bathrooms, were addressed as well. Alec DeGabriele arrived, ready to build up the stage where he does a Fit-ups, or Travelling Folk recreation, from the shows of the late 50’s and 60’s in Ireland. Alec creasted from scratch a recreation of the original style stage sets that the Travelling Folk used and in his presentation, he then talks about what life was like as a member of the touring troupes. Alec’s performing troupe were called the Shannon Players.
Once we got all the displays for this building caught up, (we have another building to do tomorrow), we set up the floor plan with tables, for the 3 authors, Bodhran and uileann pipe maker (Irish drum and on your lap form of bagpipes), Make-A-Wish Foundation, Case Western Historical Society, Akron Hurling Club and the Fighting 69th Volunteer Infantry group.
Thats Maureen and Anthony above
Folks had to head out, so I stopped for a beer, with my B in laws and the guys setting up tents and lights. Just then, Jennifer, from Make-A-Wish arrived. A stunningly beautiful woman, she was dropping off literature and banners for the foundation, one of the beneficiaries of the fest. bright, funny, and dedicated, she is a class act. Of course, the conversation came to an abrupt stop when she arrived, while I went and got her info and promotional material. Another beer and time to wrap it up for the night.
My aunt came in from Toronto, to help out with the fest, so we all gathered at my folks for dinner, then home to empty the car, to get it ready for another load tomorrow. Hot tub here I come, it is 11:30 and I am crashing.
I will get many mroe pcis tomorrow, when things are almost complete, then of course, during the fest itself as well.
hope you are enjoying this behind the scenes look.