Spent the start of my weekend waaaay out in Podunk, Mizzourah. Accompanied various friends and co-conspirators (AKA the Cass County Lamenters
and “support staff”) to El Dorado Springs on Friday night, where the band was set to entertain at the town’s annual picnic. Which is apparently a big, hookie three-day deal involving on-stage entertainment (think Elvis-singing midget), a carnival/midway, and everyone in town who is anyone.

What a pleasant lark. I think I had almost as much fun as these people. Besides scarfing ice cream, hot pretzels, and giant pickles, we took in the Eldorado Springs Municipal Band (slightly out of tune and flat, but oh-so-small-town-charming) then treated ourselves to a couple pre-gig beers at a downtown dive. (Which was eerily reminiscent of at least four bars I can think of in KCK. It was almost as if we’d never left the city...)

Next up were the Lamenters on stage, belting out the Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. I enjoyed, but you couldn’t tell whether the audience members did. Mf. The small-town Midwest and old people. Maybe we could’ve collected empiric evidence of fun-having if they’d been outfitted with cardiac monitors.

After the performance, we were free to roam the midway, eat junk, and ride rides. MarianLiberryan and I hit the ferris wheel, while V watched. Then we bought more tickets so all of us could ride the carousel. Sadly, however, my plan to ride the wild chicken was thwarted. The carnie in charge claimed the carousel was kids-only, and unceremoniously made us get off. Sigh.

Slightly bummed, we attempted to console ourselves by catching the previously mentioned Elvis-singing little person, who did a very creditable job of Elvis-ness. Even if he wasn’t wearing a miniature rhinestone-studded jumpsuit, as Marian and I’d hoped. Afterwards was the hour or so trip back, which I spent comfortably dozing in the car, despite my giant pickle-induced stomach ache. Weekend joy, thy name is podunk town picnic.

Click for the Flickr slide show of weekendish small-town joy.