I know I owe you Chapter 5 of EZ Street, but here's something I had intended to post on Word Press, but gave up because of their pricing and advertising. I'll not be adding another blog, but I will continue with Blogspot and the blog with Phoenix Publishing and Book Promotion each month on the 29th.
The Willcox Arizona Wine Festival
May 19 and 20, 2018
Two non-drinkers went to a wine festival and had a good time!
Fordor’s rates The
Willcox Arizona Wine Festival “one of the top 10 wine festivals in North
America!” This spring my husband Frank and I enjoyed it primarily for its music
and people-watching opportunities.
I sat myself down under
the trees next to the band pavilionWhile Frank went to explore the rows of
tightly-spaced vendor tents in the park and along Railroad Avenue. At
intervals, Frank would bring me tasty snacks, and at lunch time he rounded up a
steak sandwich for himself and beef barbecue for me. I was obviously being
spoiled. Later on he came back with a sweet pair of hand-made earrings.
On Saturday I watched a
handsome Native American cowboy lazily dancing with his mother until another
not-so-young lady “cut-in” for a twirl in his arms. He was the most relaxed dancer
I’d ever seen, and more than one woman wanted to enjoy his practiced dance
moves. The band played on and the cowboy seemed to enjoy a turn with each of
the ladies.
I noticed police keeping
a subtle presence around the grounds by blending in as much as possible. Both
the man and the woman police officers I picked out near the band pavilion were
standing casually, rigged out with holstered guns, communication equipment, and
other mysterious gear secured on their waist belts. I felt safe, but not
threatened as I’m sure most people did who even noticed their presence. Most
festival goers were having too much fun getting their wine glasses filled and
then strolling around the grounds shopping for handmade items and locally-grown
pecans and pistachios.
On Sunday, Frank showed
up at the music pavilion with a secret destination in mind for lunch. We walked
a short distance across Railroad Avenue to a place called Rodney’s, an establishment
about the size of a phone booth. Inside were a stove, a counter, and lots of
delicious-smelling food being prepared single-highhandedly by Rodney himself.
We placed our order for
burros and all the trimmings and then made our way through a narrow alley to
the back patio of his place. There were tables there under the trees, and it
was an oasis away from the bustling crowds on the street. A refrigerator was
humming peacefully on the back porch where we found our canned drinks. Rodney
told us just to grab what we wanted, and pay on our way out. Trust and solitude
put us completely at ease as we ate some of the best food we’d tasted all
weekend.
The next Willcox Wine Festival is
scheduled for Sunday, October 20 and 21 from 11a.m.- 5 p.m. at
the Railroad Avenue Park in downtown Willcox, Arizona. Even if your taste buds
don’t crave a glass of excellent wine made from Arizona-grown grapes, there are
plenty of other attractions at the festival to entertain you for the weekend.
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