Yankee Peddler

Jesse's dad is a blacksmith who designs useful and decorative items for planters and yards, such as a garden hose holder, flower pot holders and stackers, and more. The family sells the items at craft shows. Jesse's favorite show (and probably the whole family's favorite show) is Yankee Peddler in Ohio. So, when we had the opportunity to go up and help out at the show this past weekend, I was excited to be able to experience what I'd heard so much about.

Heading up to Ohio on Friday night, Jesse had a head cold and I was pretty sure I was coming down with one. That made the 6.5 hour drive feel a bit longer, but we met up with his parents at the motel about 11:00.

Saturday was mostly overcast. Except for a short shower in the morning, the weather was perfect for shoppers. Unfortunately, it was actually raining in Akron (just north of the show)--a major supplier of shoppers--so there weren't a lot of people there. We had time to walk around the show a bit. I got to meet some of the crafters that return every year and with whom Jesse and his family have made friends. At the end of the day, we very much enjoyed sitting down and having a good meal at Bob Evans before heading make to the motel, showering, counting the take for the day, and sleeping.

Sunday was very rainy until about 2:00. We even had a "lake" (about 15'X20' area and up to ankle-deep) in front of the booth until Jesse and a couple of other guys used some shovels to drain it into the nearby creek. There were still some hearty shoppers out buying in the middle of the rain, but definitely not very many. We had thought about leaving by about 4:00, but then Katie and Ryan decided to bring Christina out, so we hung around long enough to greet them.

By the time we left, I was really feeling my head cold. After short stops for food, gas, etc, we headed home. About 8:30, I decided to try to sleep so that I might be able to forget about my congested head. Jesse got us home before midnight.

Some highlights from the weekend:
- Watching/listening to Ray and Jesse demonstrate blacksmithing. They tended to make leaves, when they had nothing better to make, but also made some stocking hangers and a rolling pin holder that were requested.
- Dressing up "colonial" style. (Thanks, Katie, for the loan of clothes!) Maybe I'll get a picture of us posted someday.
- Food: apple fritters, corn on the cob, and creamed chicken over biscuit.
- "Have you thought of something to say yet?" (OK, it was probably only me that thought that it was so funny and it was one of those things that probably doesn't tell well.)
- Discussion of information and changes in technology with their friends in the booth across the way selling sheep skin items.
- Music: Wandering minstrel, bagpipes, and the folk band (Irish drum, hammered dulcimer, etc) near the booth.
- And of course, spending time with family!!