John and Karen were invited to bring hoops and balloons to the 47th annual Pumpkin Festival in Spring Hope, NC, on October 6, 2018 (link goes to the 2019 event, which has more information than any of the public 2018 posts). It was a great day for a festival, overcast and cool changing to warm and sunny by the end of the day.

John set up the balloon twisting station on the porch at the train station.

John at the start of the event.

The balloon line before the parade started.

We had space to play with hula hoops in front of the train station.

Hooping on the green.

Small children hooping.

Big hoops.

Hoops and balloon hats.

The festival has lots of activities and ends with a great parade, full of vintage cars, marching bands, and beauty queens.

Some of the tasty and nutritious food options at the festival.

Vintage cars before the parade.

The dog liked to watch people hoop.

American flag flying from a construction crane.

The picture below show the parade from the train station porch, in the order they came by.

Lots of vintage cars.

Politicians, beauty queens and car clubs.

Marching bands from all the Nash County high schools.

The Shriners sent the plushie crew. John danced with the clowns.

The local fire departments sent shiny red trucks.