Fostering Creativity: Sharing Art Activities with Kids

Among the many wonderful memories of my childhood was attending the annual midsummer celebration in July. The weekend-long event featured carnival rides, fair food, and 'win a prize' booths filling several blocks. The parade was a highlight, with entries honoring our military, law enforcement, and firefighters. Floats came from neighboring communities with sparkling floats completed with waving princesses.  The Shriners whizzed by in formation on go-carts, while colorful floats decorated with streamers added to the spectacle. Multiple groups of bands and musicians, funny clowns passing candy, and interesting vehicles paraded through the streets, followed by a large herd of horses with their riders near the end. One of my favorite entries was a light blue El Camino with a porcelain tub in the back, where someone would take a bath while splashing the crowd. After the parade, a few talented locals would bring out their instruments, and the street would fill with country dancers. The event always concluded with a spectacular fireworks show over the lake, providing a perfect end to the celebration.

Unfortunately, our small but growing town no longer hosts carnival rides. Instead, the activities have been replaced with other forms of entertainment, such as derbies, sack races, and craft fairs, to name a few.

For me, it's an opportunity to share and hopefully inspire continued creativity. This past weekend marked the second year of kids creating their own colorful magnetic canvas buttons, a fun activity enjoyed by many. This year the activity was held at Menahga Floors & More, which showcases a wide variety of home renovation selections as well as a local vendors market.