Folkmoot's Parade of Nations ~ Waynesville, NC 2011

I went to the Folkmoot Parade of Nations in Waynesville, NC. which was set to begin at 12:30, but really did not get started until about 1:15. By then it was very hot and very humid and the droplets of perspiration continuously rolled from my temples. The only bearable place to stand was in the shade and I was in a sleevless cotton dress. The dancers who performed in this parade, dressed in their countries traditional garb were stunning, beautiful and undoubtly very very hot. Some groups, like the Croations, had intricate and many layed outfits with brocade and their own personal sauna experience doing on as well (first photo below). The parade is the kick-off of Folkmoot USA and a "sneak peek" at the types of performances potential ticket buyers can expect where the dancers perform much more elaborately throughout Western North Carolina for 10 days. The groups that performed in the parade were The American Racket Dance Company, Strathcona Chinese Dance Company, Viard Nouvelle from Guadeloupe, Klek of Croatia, Tahdittomat Dance Troup from Finland and the African Batimbo Drummers Ensemble. They were all wonderful performers and fun to watch. A truly fun experience despite the heat!

To see the full gallery click here:  http://karenkaletaphotography.zenfolio.com/p886501927

Franklin's Memorial Day Veterans Park Celebration

Memorial Day 2011 in Franklin marked the completion of another major phase of the Veteran's Memorial Project where they unveiled six individual monuments featuring marble reliefs to honor each branch of the service. It was a beautiful morning for the ceremonies but it became quite hot quite fast. If you were lucky enough to be in the shade it was bearable... This is just a sampling of the array of folks, young and old who came to honor our fallen heroes..... Memorial Day Photos