Chelleology

 

CivicFest has something for everyone from 5 years old to 102.  When we first read the description, we thought it would be a hit and run activity.  We would enter and come out in two hours a little more educated.  About five hours later and several hundred dollars short (thanks to some great vendors), we came out laughing and with a wealth of knowledge.

 

The first exhibit featured the Forgotten Founders – Historic Documents and Medallions of Freedom.  There we saw rare historic documents, letters and newspapers from the fourteen men who served the American Colonies from 1774 to 1788.  The artifacts were well preserved although some items had faded due to their age.  For the History illiterate, it was a little overwhelming but after reading through the exhibit, you are better able to understand where our history started.

 

We also found the Political Memorabilia display very exciting.  The exhibit chronicled all the Presidential campaigns starting from pre-Revolutionary War to the 2004 elections.  We had a good chuckle at some of the names of the political parties and some of the catchy campaign ads.  There were also credentials from previous National Conventions (late 1700s through present).  Some of them were pretty tacky but some were actually pretty interesting.

 

The first interactive booth we encountered was the Decision 2008 where we had our chance to vote on the name of the new eagle from the
National Eagle Center.  We found this was the perfect time to make the joke about same day voter registration.  Scott attempted to go through the line twice!  No fraud there!  Of course, when I came out of the booth, I told the polling official that my union representative told me how to vote.

 

The Lincoln Bicentennial truck was also a very educational display.  It was a museum on wheels!  I have no idea how they got this truck inside the convention center!  The display took us through the life of Abraham Lincoln.  The most amazing sight inside this truck was the life-like holograph of Lincoln giving his stump speech on the back of a train.  You could almost reach out to touch the figure if the glass was not in the way.

 

I think the most popular exhibit was the tour of the miniature White House.  When we approached the exhibit there were scores of people staring in awe at the delicate work that went into creating such a beautiful work of art.  The re-creation of the White House could barely squeeze into my living room.  When you look inside, you can see the layout of each room with its contents.  Even the pictures on the wall were life-like but smaller.

 

I took the oath of office and it was recorded on DVD.  While we enjoyed taking the oath, we really had fun watching little kids take the oath on camera!  One little girl was making faces throughout the whole oath but did not miss a word!  I was very amused.

 

We also took a tour of the life-like replica of Air Force One.  We took goofy pictures of us coming out of the plane and waving.  Looking through the pictures at the end of our day, we realize how real the pictures looked! 

We also had a good laugh posing for pictures at the Presidential Desk inside the Oval Office.  I never thought I would ever have my picture taken with my feet up on the Presidential Desk – okay so it wasn’t the real thing.  But it looked real!

 

I could go on forever about the many other displays and vendors we saw.  After all, we did spend five hours at the festival.  Despite the fact there was so much fun stuff to see and experience, we came out with a little bit of knowledge we did not possess before.   

Last weekend’s Irish Fest was everything I hoped it would be and more.  The music was the main reason I wanted to go to Irish Fest (despite the fact that I’m English - yes, the snobby race, LOL).  Gaelic Storm was the big headliner.  It was only my second time seeing them.  I saw back in March at Chicago’s House of Blues.  I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how Patrick Murphy was going to be funny in a family atmosphere with out swearing at us and giving us the finger.  I certainly thought it was going to be straight up music with very little humor.  I was dead wrong.  Murphy is equally as funny when he isn’t swearing… although the word ‘bitches’ excaped his lips at one point.  The fiddler, who is my idol, was phenominal as always.  Her fast bowing skills are just amazing.  It’s a skill I can only hope to acquire on my own fiddle.
I think our only disappointment was that they did not play “What’s the Rumpus?”  We were close to the stage and screaming ‘Rumpus’ but I don’t think they heard us.  We will be going to the Irish Hooley in Dubuque on the 23rd.  Gaelic Storm will be playing and we fully intend on getting our request across with big signs.
After the concert, we met the band beside the stage.  I got all their autographs and got my picture with Patrick and the fiddle player.  I hope to have those photos this week as they are on Greg’s camera.
Rising Gael did not disappoint since they are getting ready to release their new album.  They played a lot of their new songs so they certainly sparked a lot of interest and excitement.  I love the band but after two years of faithfully following the band, all their concerts were starting to mimic themselves.  It was always the same songs in a different order.  With their new album due out in October, new life has been breathed into their concerts.  Still the new album is bitter sweet.  The guitarist is heading to college later this month - in Texas.  So, I’m sure we’ll be lucky to see them once a year as opposed to the two and three times that we are used to.  But what happens when they all finish college?  It will be interesting to find out.  I really think they could be a national act but it will depend on what they want to do.  Career, marriage, normalcy?
I did pick up another band to add to my most loved Irish bands.  The Cottars.  That fiddler is just as amazing.  She did this fiddle solo that has brought new inspiration to my own playing.  My instructor has even commented on how I sound like I have kicked up the amount of practicing I’m committing to weekly.  This is a band that is worthy of following.
I certainly didn’t sit around and listen to music the entire time.  There was a lot more to see and do.  First I took three of the workshops that were offered on Saturday.  I woke up early to take the Irish Dance workshop.  Let me tell you, I think around age 25, you begin to lose your equilibrium.  Seriously, I would kick up my leg and I would proceed to tip over.  I had not even started drinking it.  Come to think of it, perhaps if I did drink before the workshop, I would have done much better.  I did really well with the couples dance but after about the fifth spin, I was about to spew!  Thank God we stopped after that.  The couples dance is not exactly what you want to be doing if you have been drinking.
After that, I joined Greg and Jolene for the Irish Language workshop.  Granted you couldn’t learn a whole lot in an hour but I did meet some great people.  Plus, I signed on to take some Irish Language lessons which will start in Septmeber.
Then I took the Fiddle Workshop.  Mental note, do not take a workshop when you only have four months of lessons under your belt.  I was greatly intimidated because the instructor played a tune and then everyone joined in but me and one other girl who was just as new as I was.  I did pick up a few tips like rolling and cutting. 
We also did some shopping with some great vendors.  I got my one piece of Irish jewelery… an Irish knot necklace.  I got a new Gaelic Storm t-shirt, an Ireland hoodie and a t-shirt that says “Buy me a beer and I’ll tell you” in Irish. 
I just can’t wait for next year’s Irish Fest!