We've been so bogged down, what with the extended trip out to see The Big Guy's mom, our new "lifestyle" with him being home 24/7 with me (I'm SURE we'll eventually find a routine) and obligations and commitments, in general, that we really haven't done much "fun" stuff this summer, yet. It dawned on us, summer is now more than half over!!! (It looks like we'll soon be heading West again to be with his mom a bit more, so there goes most of the rest of the season.)
We decided to try to escape for a night or two this weekend. So, we're off to the AmeriServe Flood city Music Festival in Johnstown, PA. We'll be enjoying some great music and festival foods, time with close friends and, hopefully, some cooler and more comfortable mountain air.
The car's loaded, those holding down the home front have their instructions and we're ready to go.
See y'all on Monday. Go out an have a great weekend, too. Summer's too short to waste!
Showing posts with label Johnstown PA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnstown PA. Show all posts
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 27, 2010
And so, our trip began...
Home again, finally !!!
Our trip began with two days in Johnstown, PA attending the American Flood City Music Festival.
This is a family tradition with us through changes in festival venue, name and, lately, dates. For the second year in a row, organizers have changed the dates. Traditionally, this was always a 3-day event held on Labor Day weekend. It's still 3 days but they keep switching weeks. It's really hard to keep traditions alive when you can't count on the dates from year to year. There have been a few other changes which, in my opinion, have taken away from the event but, for now, we keep going back. We do have less enthusiasm to get there these days, though. This year, for the first time, we only attended one day of the event.
The weather was fantastic and, I hope, contributed to good attendance. While it was crowded, I still don't think they've come anywhere near the crowds they used to get on Labor Day weekend. Many folks used the festival weekend as a sort of homecoming over the holiday and still do as there is still another long-running festival at that time.
We did catch several performances by a number of excellent entertainers on Saturday including Devon Allman, Duane Allman's son. His show was definitely worth sitting in the hot sun.
The big name at this year's event was Los Lobos, who performed on Friday night. We missed them but we did enjoy Los Straightjackets on Saturday. This was one of the tightest bands I've heard in a long time and is made up of excellent musicians. One quirky item: Everyone on stage, and even the sound men, are hidden by masks throughout the performance.
I took pictures of our little group 
enjoying the music that day.
In this one of The Big Guy and I (Hours in the hot sun does nothing for my looks, believe me!), he thought I was smiling because I was with him.
But... here's what Mama was smiling at! Wouldn't you?
Funny, The Big Guy got me up and out of town before daylight the next day ! Can't a girl just window shop?
Our trip began with two days in Johnstown, PA attending the American Flood City Music Festival.
This is a family tradition with us through changes in festival venue, name and, lately, dates. For the second year in a row, organizers have changed the dates. Traditionally, this was always a 3-day event held on Labor Day weekend. It's still 3 days but they keep switching weeks. It's really hard to keep traditions alive when you can't count on the dates from year to year. There have been a few other changes which, in my opinion, have taken away from the event but, for now, we keep going back. We do have less enthusiasm to get there these days, though. This year, for the first time, we only attended one day of the event.The weather was fantastic and, I hope, contributed to good attendance. While it was crowded, I still don't think they've come anywhere near the crowds they used to get on Labor Day weekend. Many folks used the festival weekend as a sort of homecoming over the holiday and still do as there is still another long-running festival at that time.
We did catch several performances by a number of excellent entertainers on Saturday including Devon Allman, Duane Allman's son. His show was definitely worth sitting in the hot sun.
The big name at this year's event was Los Lobos, who performed on Friday night. We missed them but we did enjoy Los Straightjackets on Saturday. This was one of the tightest bands I've heard in a long time and is made up of excellent musicians. One quirky item: Everyone on stage, and even the sound men, are hidden by masks throughout the performance.
I took pictures of our little group 
enjoying the music that day.
In this one of The Big Guy and I (Hours in the hot sun does nothing for my looks, believe me!), he thought I was smiling because I was with him.
But... here's what Mama was smiling at! Wouldn't you?
Funny, The Big Guy got me up and out of town before daylight the next day ! Can't a girl just window shop?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thunder In The Valley 2009
Wow!! I slipped away for a few days and did absolutely no promotional work and came home to several sales!! What a great weekend!!
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Seriously, I again missed a few posts over the weekend. (This is getting to be a habit!) I’ll try to do better next weekend. (Then again, we’ve got lots planned for the holiday so, maybe not.)
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Well, Friday afternoon we headed West into the Allegheny Mountains to Johnstown, PA for Thunder in the Valley 2009. In just twelve years of existence, Thunder has become one of the largest annual motorcycle rallies East of the Mississippi. For these few days each year, the population of Johnstown more than doubles with the arrival of upwards of 250,000 bikers (not to mention those of us driving in on 4 wheels!) While the event is centered in downtown Johnstown, activities have spread out to a number of locations in the general region to include events in Richland Township, Windber and Ebensburg.
Although the main thrust of the rally is Friday through Sunday, you could pretty much do something continuous
ly from mid-day Wednesday through 5 p.m. on Sunday. There is an array of free music performances at a number of locations all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday and in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday and Thursday. (Fifty-three bands/musical acts are listed among the official events and even more play at various clubs around town as part of their regular weekend fare. Many of those performing on the sanctioned stages perform multiple times throughout the weekend.) Numerous runs, charity rides and such take place throughout the weekend. Professional wrestling matches, stunt rider performances, vendor displays, specialty parties, etc. take place in addition to three parades. The Hot Nights/Cool Lights Night Parade on Thursday evening features all makes and models of bikes but they must be decorated with LED and/or after-market lights to participate. On Saturday, there is a Children’s parade and the Grand Thunder Parade featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales, marching groups, celebrities and custom motorcycles.
This year’s attendance has not been fully tallied but it is believed they set a record. I can attest to the fact that it was extremely crowded in town. Food and souvenir vendors sold more merchandise than ever before despite this rocky economy. Other vendors of biker paraphernalia also reported fantastic sales as did local businesses. Thunder in the Valley 2009 was another great success!!! This was our third year attending this event and we plan to return again next year.
I hope you all had a great weekend, too. (If not, maybe you should plan to come to Thunder next year!!)
------------------
Seriously, I again missed a few posts over the weekend. (This is getting to be a habit!) I’ll try to do better next weekend. (Then again, we’ve got lots planned for the holiday so, maybe not.)
------------------
Well, Friday afternoon we headed West into the Allegheny Mountains to Johnstown, PA for Thunder in the Valley 2009. In just twelve years of existence, Thunder has become one of the largest annual motorcycle rallies East of the Mississippi. For these few days each year, the population of Johnstown more than doubles with the arrival of upwards of 250,000 bikers (not to mention those of us driving in on 4 wheels!) While the event is centered in downtown Johnstown, activities have spread out to a number of locations in the general region to include events in Richland Township, Windber and Ebensburg.
Although the main thrust of the rally is Friday through Sunday, you could pretty much do something continuous
ly from mid-day Wednesday through 5 p.m. on Sunday. There is an array of free music performances at a number of locations all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday and in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday and Thursday. (Fifty-three bands/musical acts are listed among the official events and even more play at various clubs around town as part of their regular weekend fare. Many of those performing on the sanctioned stages perform multiple times throughout the weekend.) Numerous runs, charity rides and such take place throughout the weekend. Professional wrestling matches, stunt rider performances, vendor displays, specialty parties, etc. take place in addition to three parades. The Hot Nights/Cool Lights Night Parade on Thursday evening features all makes and models of bikes but they must be decorated with LED and/or after-market lights to participate. On Saturday, there is a Children’s parade and the Grand Thunder Parade featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales, marching groups, celebrities and custom motorcycles.
This year’s attendance has not been fully tallied but it is believed they set a record. I can attest to the fact that it was extremely crowded in town. Food and souvenir vendors sold more merchandise than ever before despite this rocky economy. Other vendors of biker paraphernalia also reported fantastic sales as did local businesses. Thunder in the Valley 2009 was another great success!!! This was our third year attending this event and we plan to return again next year.
I hope you all had a great weekend, too. (If not, maybe you should plan to come to Thunder next year!!)
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