The day dawned perfectly for the Rose Cottage Village Fair. Each year a small group of friends hold an event and we are now into our fifth year! This year it was time for a Village Fair with the feature being a puppet show.
The gang of boys arrive very excited about what might be on offer.
Several had brought their skateboards but were disappointed to find they didn't work too well on grass.
A couple of experienced horse riders offered to give pony rides and had brought a couple of ponies along for the day.
Peggy Sue is ready to announce the puppet show and Norma Jean and Betsy are already close by waiting, as is Rory who heard that a frog might be involved.
He hovers round anxiously.
The two little girls are deep in conversation catching up with each other's news.
Some of the stands are already manned ready for sales.
There are various stalls on offer including candy floss which I think will prove to be a hit.
Henry is in charge of the Bric a Brac stall and Emily the cake stall.
There is a Hook a Duck game with some great prizes to be had.
The toddlers are interested in the Soft Toy Stall and are watched over by Stevie.
Ooh it looks like the puppet show is about to start.
Peggy Sue tells everyone to gather round ready for the curtains to open and the show to start.
The children all sit down quietly eager for the show to begin.
Once upon a time...Peggy Sue begins as all good stories do.
There was a frog looking for his princess...
He meets a Gingerbread man
Have you seen my princess? He asks.
The audience listen intently... as Peggy Sue explains that the Frog has lost his princess and is in search of her so when the Gingerbread Man says no, off he goes in search...
Looks like the toddlers discovered the candy floss!
Suddenly a mouse appears!
Oh no, I hope the mouse doesn't eat the Gingerbread man....
Quickly quickly the Gingerbread man runs away as fast as he can.
A mermaid? What is a mermaid doing here? Asks Peggy Sue.
When the mouse realises the mermaid isn't afraid of him, he goes in search of the Gingerbread man who has run away.
But what is this?
An Octopus?
But what is an Octopus doing here?
Suddenly...
The children in the audience shout 'Watch Out'
Oh no, says Peggy Sue, what do we have here...
has the Octopus grabbed the Mermaid,
or is he just giving her a hug?
The children are yelling at her to be careful ...
Stevie feels something on her shoulder...
Oh, it's you she said! I thought the Octopus tentacles had a long reach when I felt something tickling my shoulder!
But wait...
Rory is suddenly up close to the screen
What is that we see?
Has Frog found his princess to be?
The boys seem to have got a mite distracted...
Well apart from Rory who is much to absorbed in the story.
I didn't know this was going to end all luvy dovy
Shall we give the rest of the show a miss?
Oh dear some more disruptive behaviour seems to have broken out on the floor.
But wait! It looks like Frog has found his true love
and seals it with a kiss.
Like all good stories it has a happy ending of which Rory at least is pleased.
As for the two tumbling toddlers
Peggy Sue doesn't seem at all too pleased with
and they sheepishly stop their ruff and tumble
and stand up to take their telling off all contrite.
There is a time and place for ruff and tumble and that is NOT during a puppet show she tells them sternly...
Ollie toddles off to see if he can get some sympathy from the girls
Rory in the meantime is fascinated at what goes on behind the scenes.
The show has broken up and it looks like the children are wandering round finding things to spend their pocket money on.
The Candy Floss is popular
Especially with these two who it appears have gone back for second helpings!
The boys play skittles.
Hook a Duck is a fun spot as well.
The children are shown how it is done.
Others are content to stay sitting and chatting after the show.
Peggy Sue is deep in conversation with Rory who tells her he has been waiting YEARS for a puppet theatre!
The pony rides are proving popular and Donny is enjoying a ride and wants to know if he can keep the horse!
He asks all about how hard it is to care for and own a horse.
This little lad was thrilled to get a ride as he was too young to take part in the Gymkhana three years ago.
Back at the puppet theatre Rory and Peggy Sue are still deep in conversation
Whilst Lewis wonders whether he will ever be able to get out and go and have a relax.
Phew at last he can sneak out the back!
I wonder what next year's event will be?!
Hooray, we had such a fun time setting this up. I haven’t even edited my photos yet, been way too busy at work and with prep for this weekend’s events nearer to home. Hopefully I’ll get my version of the story up soon (I didn’t manage to last year!)
ReplyDeleteI thought you did manage last year? Gosh where does the time go? It was such fun thank you for coming and I look forward to your post when you get a chance. Hope this weekend goes well.
DeleteFinally - weeks later I've managed to edit the photos and do my version of the story - see https://dollmum.blogspot.com/2018/10/rose-cottage-village-fair.html
Deletewow, that's adorable! So much to see and do. Looks like a good time was had by all!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun if not exhausting, but well worth it!
DeleteWell done, Lewis - you are an ace puppeteer! - Jocelyn
ReplyDeleteWasn't he good?! Thanks for a great day.
DeleteLovely post as you used to do Lorraine. A lot of work and so many nice props too. I noticed some nice new faces among the dolls too. Love your boy Lewis!
ReplyDeleteThank you (?), it was a lot of work, and takes me longer to get the photos posted than it used to, but it was a lot of fun and we had a great day. They aren't all my dolls ;) Quite a few belonged to Jocelyn and Doll Mum. There was one newbie there for me though and that is the lovely boy playing Hook a Duck, 'cause sometimes you just gotta! Lewis is a sweetheart and was glad he could be involved as well, as they have all been somewhat neglected of late!
DeleteBravo! What a splendid time. I'm glad for Rory that the puppet show had a strong frog theme. Lewis and Peggy Sue did a wonderful job. Peggy Sue makes a good Mistress of Ceremonies, and of course she's very capable of keeping everyone in line!
ReplyDeleteYes you can always rely on Peggy Sue to keep everyone in line...well her and Emily, but Emily was otherwise engaged with her stall that day. ;) So glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteA wonderful day at the fair. Loved and enjoyed every bit of it! Especially adored the candy floss! 'A blast from the past!'
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
You are welcome Kendal, so glad you enjoyed the Fair. I had fun making the 'candy floss' :) The day was a lot of fun.
DeleteWhat an adorable set-up and story! I´m so impressed! Thank you so much, everyone involved!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you all must have had.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it took a great deal of work setting up the fair,but it was great fun visiting. What a wonderful group of dollies. Just lovely...thanks for sharing....blessings
Hello! I am so impressed as well!!! This is such an awesome & compelling story! I love Schoenhut dolls too and your Sasha dolls are adorable+++ Thanks a lot++++++ Amicalement.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. The props, poses, costuming, photography were very realistic. It was fun to see and read and could easily be made into a picture book for children and collectors. Something you might consider. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with the world.
ReplyDeleteWell done, to all that set this wonderful post up. It was very amusing from the toddles candy floss, the story telling, to their telling off by Peggy Sue was just great. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love the story with the candy floss, squabbling toddlers and pony rides!
ReplyDelete