A full October day

People say it, but never do it: live a lifetime in a day.

We did it Saturday and it was awesome.

The wind was sharp, and why wouldn’t it be? It’s October after all and no matter how vigourously you state your case, you can't convince the kids that summer’s over and it’s time for warm weather gear.

No matter. Anticipation was high; the Kentville Harvest Festival kick-off was at 10 a.m. and we wanted to be there for the fun.

We arrived at just the right moment. Horse-drawn wagon rides were underway, a train made from plastic containers and hauled by a John Deere ride-on ferried kids around Centre Square and Mayor Dave Corkum was into his opening remarks.

Hot dogs were on the grill, music filled the air and trailers full of cornstalks, pumpkins and bags of clothing were in the western corner of the Square for the pumpkin people-making workshop.

There were a hundred pumpkins, mounds of cornstalks and people - mostly parents and kids - chomping at the bit to get at it. When the word was given, the deed was done. Quickly! The trailers emptied in just half an hour and folks all over the place had full-grown pumpkin people to populate their neighbourhoods. Straw blew like snow as the wind whipped up, but what a tableau: people everywhere, kids laughing, drawing pictures, doing crafts, live music and a farmers' market bristling with customers. And it was only 11:15!

We ate hot dogs, had hot chocolate at Tim’s, watched the world - and the steady passage of the horse-drawn wagon - go by and then went to the Friends of the Kentville Library’s fabulous book sale at the Rec Centre. They had a huge selection and offered the best bargains in town on the day, I’m sure. Hope you folks made a bundle!

Then we dashed home, snatched up our copy of Ron and Sandra Lightburn’s delightful new children's book, Pumpkin People, and zipped back to the Kings County Museum for 1:30 p.m. to have them autograph it at a book-signing event.

Ron and Sandra greeted us graciously and signed not only our copy, but also a couple of bookmarks because the kiddies wanted an extra John Henry or two to put in a personal collection. I wasn’t sure what that was all about, but hey! Roll with it 'cause it was kind of cool, you know?

We saw Ron's incredible original artwork around the room and I’ll remind you that folks are invited to the Museum to check it out over the next month or two. They’re fabulous and well worth a visit.

We got gas at the Ultramar on Nichols Avenue, cruised around to see what else was shaking, set up our pumpkin person in the front yard, painted its head - complete with different colour eyes, beard and totally happenin’ hair-do - and then settled in. For a few minutes.

Supper was next for the children and then our babysitter arrived. The adults had plans with friends for dinner and a movie. It was one thing after another Saturday, but so what? Living large is just another way to seize the day, n'est-ce pas?

Apparently the kiddies were a little wired and didn't get to sleep until it was well past bedtime, but that’s all right. Seems the adults didn’t get to bed on time either, seeing as how 10 p.m. is pushing it most days. We rolled in near midnight, I took the sitter home and all was quiet at last by 12:30 a.m.

Living a lifetime in one day, right here right now, in virtually our own backyard. It doesn't get any better than that, my friends, and the fall harvest fun has only just begun. Indulge and share the excitement. Go to valleypumpkinfest.ca for more and then make your plan. Guaranteed you won't be disappointed.