Riverfest 2009

This past weekend, Clarksville had their annual Riverfest celebration. We went last year on Saturday evening and ended up frustrated because we spent most of our time waiting in long lines, with smoking everywhere, and a generally kind of rough crowd. I had heard if we went in the daytime it would be much better, so I took the girls and Jarem from about 11-3 Saturday afternoon this time. Eric and Alex didn't want to go, so they stayed home and worked in the yard(not a bad deal). :)

It ended up being much better during the day and there were no lines and a much better atmosphere as well. There were lots of bounce house type activities and you paid $10 for a wristband to get into nearly everything. Unfortunately, the wristbands were only for 6 and up, so the girls got to go on everything, but not Jarem. Jarem patiently waited for the girls to go to their activities and finally we got to go to the toddler zone where toddlers get to play for free.

First, everyone had to get their faces painted. Jesikah wanted her face painted SO bad that she couldn't even think about anything else. The lady that painted their faces did an amazing job. It was not included in the wristband however, and we had to pay $4 per person. Later, we found free face painting which I totally would have done instead. I have to admit though, this lady did an awesome job, so I really didn't mind paying the $12 for the three of them in the end.

Different lady bugs on both sides, so we had to get a picture of both.

Jarem didn't want his face painted at the last minute and asked if she could paint his leg instead. :) She said she could paint his arm and he was much happier with that. He got Blues Clues with a few pawprints for clues.

This was one of those pictures that I was having trouble getting the settings right on my camera and it was way too bright, but after photoshopping it, it turned out pretty cute.

Tessa riding the bull. It bucks and tries to throw you off. Tessa loved it so much that she had to do it 3-4 times. No one else was in line so it worked out fine.

Both girls tried this velcro bounce thing. You put on a velcro suit and try to bounce high and throw yourself on the velcro wall. Neither of the girls managed to get very high, but they thought it was fun. We saw some people do tricks where they landed upside down. That was cool.

Tessa doing the climbing wall. She is our adventurous one. She was so excited to do it and she made it all the way to the top without a hitch. Jesikah didn't want to do this one.

Here she is on top!

Jarem patiently waiting while the girls play in one of the bounce houses.

Finally, we go to the toddler zone and it's Jarem's turn. He loved this bounce house. There were blow-up footballs and basketballs that they could throw in the nets or there was a basketball hoop where you could bounce and make baskets. That is what he is doing in the picture. He didn't want me to put this picture on the blog because it showed his underwear. :) I guess he hasn't heard yet that it's cool yet! :)

Tessa and Jesikah petting a mule while Jarem played.

The girls liked these chickens too.

Jarem loved riding this little train. It was so cute how he was waving at me out this little window the whole time. I did feel sorry for the driver who was driving in a circle 8 pattern on the grass all day long. He looked a little hot and bored.

The food was very expensive, but we did manage to find some $2 hot dogs and $1 water bottles before we left. We got a funnel cake and cotton candy for everyone to share too. They wanted the sno-cones, but for $3 each, I just couldn't see paying that much. So, I promised them a 99 cent frosty at Wendy's on the way home and everyone was happy. We had a great time, and when we came home, the boys had cleaned out the garden area in the backyard and headed to see the movie, "GI Joe". So I guess they got their reward for their hard work!