Caution, picture heavy! That way you know for sure it happened. The weather was pretty good for early December, there was a slight SW breeze in the afternoon but it pretty much went down with the sun and was right around 30*f at 6:30 PM. It seemed like the overall attendance was down a bit and I heard there were less vendors. But Smoky the Bear from the forest service was there. This year Santa was given a ride in by the local Custer Public Power District, which was escorted by the local sheriff. And all the children lined up in the Mason’s hall to tell him their wishes. The ranch that has the nice looking old farm truck, once again had the nativity scene in the back and was playing seasonal music that could be heard throughout the downtown area. Santa had a couple reindeer and his sleigh trucked in so the children could pet a real live reindeer and sit in his sleigh for pictures. The gal from the ranch with the truck was giving out hot chocolate from the galvanized mobile booth. The lumber yard was doing s’mores on the fire pit in front of the store as well as adult beverages inside, if thats your thing. I had 9 fires in barrel fire pits and a 10ft long purpose built fire trough made by a local ranch/welding shop. I took a picture of the pickup load I started with, and, surprisingly didn’t go through all of it. Lit the first fire at 2:30 and it took me about 45 minutes to get them all going. I didn’t do the trough and 1 barrel on either side until probably 4:30 or so. the fire trough was a major success. I had the guy at work plasma cut the designs in it and it turned out great. Good lots of positive comments. Just before the kids started singing I put some smaller hollow “chimney logs on (3 in the trough and 1 in one barrel) the fires and dropped a packet of the powder down each hollow to make the colored flames. That was a huge hit, even with adults! And even the local fire chief said I’d done a hell of a job!
Also, I had to stop at the bank before I got started and as I was pulling away I was flagged down by a woman who I didn’t know. She asked if I sold firewood, ( reasonable question, considering the look of my pickup at the moment). I told her that this load was for tonight’s festivities, of which she knew nothing about. But we talked at length about burning firewood and she asked what I would charge her for a load similar to what I had on the pickup. Again I was caught flat footed and had to shoot from the hip but she agreed and we exchanged contact info. So I gained a customer. several hours later a fella said he had a bunch of firewood that he wanted to get rid of. “It’s all cut and split for a couple years he said.” So I said “all cut and split and half rotten?” “Oh no” he says “ it’s in a shed, probably at least two cords or more. It’s ash and hackberry 24 inches and less” Well now he’s got my interest but I’m not liking the 24” inches and told him that is too long for most stoves. So I ask “you just need it gone? Just come and get it, free for the hauling it off?” His reply = “Oh no, I need paid for it, I want to sell it.” At this point I didn’t ask a price, and just tried to back away politely by saying “ give me a little time and I’ll see if I can’t find a home for it.” Well since then I’ve given it some thought and might have a couple ideas but I’m gonna have to get my eyes on it and get a price. And finally, after the festivities were over and people were pretty much packed up and gone. The sheriff came by the fire trough and visited as I was watching the fire die down. Told me that just before thanksgiving he had brought 3 of my firewood bundles from the grocery store and was very happy with it all around. Packaged nicely, easy to handle, nice and dry and burned good and hot with no smoke. I just happened to be in the store when he bought it and I thought maybe i should see about selling him a tote full of ends and pieces. So I offered him the idea and I think he is gonna take it. it was a wonderful evening all around, at least for me. I got lots of thank you and compliments. People really enjoy the fires for warmth and ambiance.
Very cool snapshot of small town America holiday festivities! No doubt you had a huge part in helping make it all come together and a memorable gathering for everyone.
Glad you folks had a nice evening for your event & had a good time. Sounds like you found a source for some firewood if the price is right & gained a new customer as well. Thank you for the update about the evening & the pictures you took. Well done.
Thanks to you for your contributions to the community! The Swedish candles with color added was a great touch!
Small town America at its finest. Are you trying to out do yourself every year Sandhillbilly? Better start stocking up on wood for next year. Great that you gained a customer too. Couldn't have a better way to advertise it.
Obviously I need to up my game a bit every year. Wood supply is not an issue. I wish I had time during the event to actually participate a little more. I also wish that there was a bit more of interest for the men folk. There’s quite a bit of activities for the youngsters, and shopping of crafty, home business type stuff. But not much of interest for guys.
Kudos for making great memories for a lot of people! What about dropping a small chunk of magnesium down in a Swedish torch?
You could always start carving trees or Santas in logs with a chain saw! Yeah its tough to enjoy it when you're in charge of something going on there. Was your helper that young lady who had worked for you earlier this year?
You mean young lad? No, turns out he just thought he wanted to work. This kid is a friend of his that he brought to work with him on the second day. The first kid was several hours late on a bigger project where I really needed him. Pretty sure it was his mom’s fault that he was late. But then after an hour or so he didn’t feel good and asked to leave. Tried him 2 more times and he asked to leave shortly after we got a good start. That’s the end of his chances with me. I tried explaining to Vinny ( the new kid) that a man that can’t be depended on steady, ain’t worth the trouble of having around.
Yes I typed lad but the autocorrect must've changed it. Yup I've seen it all the time. When I roofed full time I had teens help and they didn't last. Ms.buZZsaw's son did the same and she chewed his azz out for it and he came back. Years later he thanked me as he learned good work ethic from me.
I thought about magnesium but don’t know where to get some, and have never been around it while being burned. I have some research to do
