Festival

If you are unfamiliar with the annual Grand Rapids tradition called Festival you are truly missing on a segment of life that tantalizes all the sensory palates. The sights. The sounds. The aroma. Officially, it's called the Festival of the Arts. The notable disciplines of art are those on stage -- the performing arts -- and those for the tummy -- the yummy arts!

Having the weekend off meant enjoying time with family. Saturday was a bon voyage party for my father, as he embarks to Alaska for a few months with a motorhome motorcade. Sunday was to enjoy Festival.

I left my camera home Saturday (it deserved a rest too). But brought it downtown for Festival yesterday; along with two teen daughters and a preteen daughter. A wonderful daddy-daughter-daughter-daughter day!

Oh oh, a chef with a camera. I suppose it's safer than me with a meat cleaver!

There was a comedy improv team at one of the stages. Somehow I was dragged on stage. It would appear that my stage comedy debut was warmly accepted (if not gratuitously accepted).

The stages of Festival have hosted such unknown bands as Verve Pipe and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Of course they're no longer unknown. These guys, Broken Sunday, have the potential to follow in their footsteps. They are incredible!

- Jon