Oriental

John the Balloon Man and Karen the Hoop Lady participated in the 2014 Croaker Festival in Oriental, NC. Hurricane Arthur blew through two days before and missed Oriental, leaving the weather glorious and pleasantly cool.

John the balloon man making an animal balloon at Croaker Festival.

The children's area at Croaker Festival starts at the corner of Mildred and South. — The children’s area at Croaker Festival starts at the corner of Mildred and South.

Keeping score throughout the day's events. — Keeping score throughout the day’s events.

John the balloon man making animal balloons at Croaker Festival.

Karen the hoop lady had her hoops available for people to play with on the lawn. This year’s Croaker Festival had the fastest “time to all hoops out!” of any event we’ve ever worked. The weather was perfect for hooping.

The hoop tent with pennants flying in the breeze.

Hooping on the lawn at Croaker Festival 2014.

John the Balloon Man returned to Croaker Fest for the fourth year.

He tried to help with the tug-o-war, but the Captain of the winning Pirate Float (from the parade earlier in the day) was on the other end of the rope. Better luck next year!

John could win the hula hoop contest, but they made a rule that says you have to use the hoops provided by the people who run the Children’s Area.