This thread (of the unfolding/enfolding fabric of community) started for those involved and/or interested in the Newburyport Labor Day Festival.

WHO/WHAT:  Organized by Kathy Heywood, a "new" event with an "old tradition" of coming together at the heart of community on Labor Day weekend. (MySpace webpage at hyperlink ~ updated 3-day program found on MySpace blog at hyperlink)

WHEN:  Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7, from 11AM to 5PM daily

WHERE:  Newburyport's Market Square (at the "bullnose")

WHY:  Event's intent is to encourage/support community organizations as a means for fundraising and promotion.(*)

Kathy invites interested parties and partners to attend the volunteer planning meetings to be held 7PM at the public library on Thursday 8/20, Tuesday 8/25 & Wednesday 9/2.


****** HEAR YE! HEAR YE! ******

Labor Day will certainly be a "Day at the Races" ~
~ family-oriented games & ongoing "gamming" (social exchange)
~ children's races & games 11AM to 1PM
~ the Waterside community "gam" staged from 1PM to 2PM
~ beautiful dog parade from 2PM to 3PM
~ Ezekiel's Wheel Klezmer band (3PM to 5PM)
~ "Hop to It!" community gathering ends ~ gathering momentum for moons to come![/b]  

****** DULY NOTING ******

NOTE:  After permission for use (of site) was granted to the organizer at the August 9 City Council meeting, the Daily News published an article on August 12, 2009 entitled, "New festival planned for Labor Day weekend" at hyperlink.

FURTHER NOTE:  "Miss Penny" occasionally turns up here at the Virtual Wolfe Tavern (as well as commenting at NewburyportNews.com).  So while (as noted above) she has set up a MySpace webpage ~ Comity surmises readers may be surprised by one of her posts and posits now and again.


****** FOOTNOTES ******

* The event supersedes the longtime "Buskers Festival" (**) which the Chamber of Commerce abandoned this year, as reported by the Daily News in an article published 2/16/09, entitled "Chamber dumps Buskers Festival" archived at hyperlink. (**)

As the piece explains, while there were a number of reasons the Chamber had made this decision, the key rationale was that they planned to focus their resources on the Friendship's visit (mid-August) ~ which of course was (eventually) canceled.(***)

*** Had learned from verbal exchange with "Miss Penny" that she (like many others) was unaware until last minute that the Buskers Festival had been canceled.  So it was a coin toss, but she decided to submit a request for permission for use of the public venue as a late file to the 8/10 City Council meeting agenda.  Given her resume includes her role as Yankee Homecoming chairperson in 2004 (along with her longtime experience as downtown entertainment organizer for that festival) --- this gave "currency" to "Miss Penny's" request, which was ultimately approved.  That "leap of faith" is but the first step to choreograph the community event.
 
*** Refer to Daily News article published 7/17/09, "Rot cancels Friendship's Newburyport visit" at hyperlink. [/list][/list][/list]

As a "post script" ---

In hindsight, one might cite a whit of insight (applied wit and wisdom) previously posted and posited at the Virtual Wolfe Tavern in June of 2008 ---

That post, with the subject line, "You vet what you pay for" (hyperlink) --- made note of the (then) newly featured videos (accessible from the City website) which showcased the Newburyport community --- promoted from the perspectives of its enviromental attractions, downtown, healthcare, real estate/relocation and economic development.

Commenting that upon review of the Downtown clip (see hyperlink) --- Comity had duly noted that (some 48 seconds in to the clip) the narrator touts "The Bunkers Festival" (as a one of several "not-to-be-missed events" in downtown Newburyport).  Perhaps that malapropism was a sign that the Buskers Festival would end up in the "bunker" (sandtrap) the following year.

Think?

Tidings with the high tide of the waxing Corn Moon ---

The Waterside people (*) can also keep current on the "game plan" for the Waterside community gam(s) to be held 'fore, amid & aft' the Newburyport Labor Day Festival at this thread --- all closely (ap)plied with what is unfolding/enfolding during the Full Corn Moon.  Truly, a "Labor of Love" weekend of new beginnings.


****** FOOTNOTE ******

* Whether born here or drawn here to the Waterside community of Newburyport --- for a time or a lifetime or a pastime.

The festival was such fun and I do hope it happens again. Wouldn't it be nice if more local folks got involved?
Not to make money but to come together as a community. Yankee Homecoming could sure take notice and learn a few things from this festival. 4 weeks of planning for 3 days! That has got to be a record of sorts.

The dog parade was fun, more doggiess came out after and got treats at the stage. wagging their little tales and meeting new friends.

Miss Penny had to stay home as her mommy was working here there and everywhere.
www.myspace.com/newburyportlabordayfest for new photos

Miss Penny should be very proud of her "mommy" who really did pull this festival together as a "Labor of Love."

In the afterglow of this luminous three-day fun and sun-filled (and moon-filled) festival --- let the Knowing Ones (who ask good questions and question the answer) shed some "after light":

Conceiving plans during the Full Sturgeon Moon (8/5) --- before making a formal application for approval on the 8/17 City Council meeting agenda] --- Kathy further refined "all matters and things" associated with the festival in a fortnight (2 weeks) between the New and Full Corn Moon.

As a logo, Kathy had selected a Clipper Ship (view image at MySpace hyperlink).

And with such a sea- (and land-) worthy hands-on captain and very small crew --- or rather just a call for non-profit/community groups to"come to the table" --- this was a peradventure that evinced Kathy Heywood as the distillation of the Waterside people throughout the generations (*).

During a whit of "gamming" during the close of the event (**) --- Kathy refused compliments for her accomplishments --- convinced that anyone who cares enough could have accomplished the same ...

But the Knowing Ones know that if any one could have successfully crafted, charted, launched and navigated this peradventure in but one cycle of the "moon" that rises at the Mouth of the River Merrimack --- it would be she.

Kudos to Miss Penny's "mommy."  


****** FOOTNOTES ******

* A wonderful telltale about "the Waterside people" who crafted and sailed timber ships can be found at the Comity.org webpage at this hyperlink --- excerpted as follows:

"The tales of Newburyport's legendary "timber ships" best tell of the Waterside people's enterprise and ingenuity. It is said that during the early 18th Century --- when timber was floated down the Merrimack River to Newburyport for export --- instead of loading the unmilled lumber onto vessels, the timber was tied together in the form of large rafts conforming to the shape of a ship. With a small center cavity for crews and provisions, adventurous mariners navigated these "timberships" to their destination in London. Despite the many voyages made by this means of transport, nary a timber ship was lost at sea. And while the crafts may not have been as swift as 19th Century clipper ships, the timber ships logged journeys that were respectable for their times. A London paper reported that a timber ship commanded by Captain Rose made passage from Newburyport to London in just twenty-six days --- with craft, commander and crew all hailing from this special place called the Waterside, a new haven called Newburyport. And the timber of the shipwrights and sailors of the Waterside timber ships was respected by one and all."

** Closing the festival onstage at Market Landing Park, the Klezmer band "Ezekiel's Wheels" proved to be a wonderful "turn" of events --- simply perfect to end a wonderful experience in style and substance.  An image captured of the band performing at the Waterside has been posted to the MySpace.com webpage at this hyperlink.

Woof woof woof woof!
(translation) I liked the dog parade but Lord Dexter was missing!

Poor puppy.  Sorry to have missed the “tick” in the box to signal "Dexters dog" (*) virtual entrance to the Virtual Wolfe Tavern (**) during the Full Corn Moon and Labor Day weekend (***).

By the way, did Miss Penny physically tag along when the photo of the Alabama (visiting Newburyport just before Labor Day weekend) was taken dockside --- later posted to the festival's MySpace.com webpage at this hyperlink?

****** FOOTNOTES ******

* Appropriately, Dexter's dog has no punctuation to indicate the possessive.

** Given “Lord Tim” is the proprietor/tavern keeper, and is known to have brought his “blue puppy” along whenever out and about --- surely all good dogs are welcomed here.  Leashed, as were all the pups at aforementioned beautiful dog parade (view photo at festival's MySpace hyperlink).

Newburyport may well be a pet-lovers' haven, but keep in mind that here in the Waterside:


*** Oft considered the official close of the "dog days of summer."

Perchance Cerberus --- the three-headed dog guarding the gates of Hades to prevent those who have crossed the river Styx from ever escaping --- foiled any plans for Lord Tim (and Dexter's dog cum “blue puppy”) “toue come back toue see houe you all goue on.”

Thus and so, there may be another chance to prevail upon Charon to allow Lord Tim's passage should with another  "Awakening of the Spirit" come October ...

When the veil thins for All Hallow's Eve ...

As the Wheel turns to new beginnings ...

Think?
 

Dexter's Dog is reincarnated in Penny! For sure. She is not blue but she does have the spirit of Lord Tim.

Can one post a photo on here? I haven't figured that out.

Over there puppy ~ to the corner table set up for such random thoughts, questions & discourse at this hyperlink ~ follow your nose to this thread.