Having had our spirits refreshed by message and song at the Cowboy Church we headed for the "Running of the Gourds" festival in Casa Grande.
Thousands of gourd artists descend upon the Pinal County Fairgrounds at this time of year for a gourd show and festival that attracts many many people like us.
As you might expect, there are thousands of finished gourds, painted, sculpted, and carved with the artists hands (and Dremel tools).
Dozens of vendors that supply gourd artists, artists offering their completed projects for sale, and dozens more food vendors that supply the rest of us were everywhere. Something I did not expect, but also found in abundance, were "gourd puns". (I'm thinking there might just be a pun for every gourd.) "Running of the gourds", "Kindergourden classes", "help gourd our borders" , and "A gourd for all seasons", just to name a few. It seems that among gourd artists, it's not art until you have a pun to go with your piece.
A Bluegrass band picked and sang familiar Bluegrass tunes while a little further down the path, a Mariachi band kept the Southwest music tradition alive.
The judging arena where the prize winning entries were on display revealed the winners and losers. We really didn't see any losers....
The talents of these artists are truly amazing. Many of you Southeastern friends who have attended the Gourd Show at the Cullman, Al Civic Center know what I mean.
Vendors showing every kind and color of paint, specialty tools for gourd
To make things even better, the 80 degree Arizona sun was out all day long. I took lots of photos.....I hope you enjoy them.
From start to finish, this has been a truly "Gourd..eous" Retirement Day.......!
