corner view: tradition

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane (Spain) and curated by Francesca (Italy), where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.  The theme this week  "tradition", and comes from Holly (US).  

We're at the beginning of a season full of traditions that will carry us into the new year so I could have picked any one of them. This weekend though, is Halloween, a time when we carve pumpkins and light a small candle inside to illuminate our creation, we watch old scary movies on TV (I prefer the black & white oldies, rather than the more current slasher genre) and we put in a supply of candy for the cute costumed Trick-or-Treaters that come to our door on the evening of the 31st.

a riverwalk and exploring the trestle

It was such a gorgeous autumn afternoon yesterday that we decided to explore the newly opened Riverwalk in Hillsborough. It was a mostly shady walk along the Eno River, peppered with other walkers, bikers, kids on scooters and friendly dogs. The river was quiet, making for some really pretty reflections.

In just a couple of weeks, when the leaves have more fully taken on their fall colors, this walk will be especially gorgeous.

One really fun feature of the trail we took was the opportunity to explore underneath the still-in-use train trestle that allows the trains to pass over the river.  To view the rusty beauty and to discover centuries of engineering technology co-mingling was a treat.  The rail line was built in the 1800's using steel that was imported from Great Britain and at the time, the NC Railroad Company built covered wooden bridges over the river crossings. The covered bridges are gone now but what remains in this spot is a 20th century steel bridge and concrete, now resting on 1850's brick abutments.  Most of these brick abutments were replaced before 1900, making this particular spot a truly rare survivor.

 

 

up the hill at the end of the handmade parade

(Hillsborough Handmade Parade continued)

So the parade continued up the hill to the Burwell School lawn, watchers falling into line behind the marchers...

...stopping along the way to create sidewalk art in front of one of the galleries, to enjoy a delicious warm beignet or a mug of thick hot chocolate. 

 On the rolling lawn, the Historical Society served hot buttery corn-on-the-cob on a stick and freshly made lemonade.  The giant puppets towered over everyone...

...and drummers from Cakalak Thunder, Magic of African Rhythms, the Occaneechi Tribe and the Bulltown Strutters all joined together in a circle.  They took turns leading the beat with the other drummers picking up their rhythm to produce a glorious noise. 

 

 Inside the drum circle, children gathered and started to spin, twirl, grasp hands and dance...

...while on the outer ring, the adults danced along.

And slowly but surely, people began to tire and wandered back down the hill, heading home again.

hillsborough's handmade parade

Each October, the Hillsborough Arts Council, along with the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange County Arts Council, puts on a glorious Handmade Parade. The aim is to foster community involvement in the arts and to help people gain confidence in their own creative abilities. They invite all comers to work directly with local artists during several workshops ahead of time, but participants can also choose to create their own costume or giant puppet on their own.

 

Everyone in invited to participate in the parade and groups are also encouraged to join in. The only stipulations are that the costumes must be homemade. Logos, political and religious beliefs are prohibited, no written word or motorized vehicles (except motorized wheelchairs). 

 

It's a fabulous way to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon! 

This little boy and his dinosaur need a nap before the parade arrives!

Here they come!

 



Several area drum groups add rhythm and lots of excitement!



The Bulltown Strutters add New Orleans style fun!



This little "bluebird" danced wildly along the parade route.

 

At the end of the parade, the crowd joins in...



...and climbs the hill to the Burwell School lawn, where even more fun ensues. (next post) For more information on the Handmade Parade, including lots of resources for your own costuming, click here!