Think you can't attend the Golden Harvest Festival in Baldwinsville on a budget? Well, it can be done! My daughters are now 18 and 20 years old, but when they were younger and I heard the word 'festival,' all I could think was what bank do I have to rob in order to take them. It's easy to burn through a ton of cash quickly but if you plan ahead, budgeting can get you through the day with some to spare, especially at a local event where they offer a ton of freebies!
This year's 37th Annual Golden Harvest Festival was held on September 6th and 7th, 2014. Adult entry fee was $5.00 and kids are $1.00. I brought $10 with me. (But remember that I didn't bring kids). If you have kids in tow, feed them a big breakfast and then bring them to the festival for a full day of free activities such as paddling a canoe, joining a scavenger hunt and crafts. There's entertainment all day and we also caught the birds of prey show, which included an alligator and a snake. For some good Upstate New York redneck entertainment, there's a pie eating contest and wild critter call, along with a scarecrow show.
The festival hosted an array of vendors selling arts and crafts, but if you're on a budget do what I do - walk around getting ideas instead of making purchases. My better half just laughs now when she hears me say "I could make that."
With my $5 in hand, I went into the food tent, which is where I found the festival failure. The problem wasn't the variety or prices, it was The Lions Club! They should have hired some help, possibly younger, quicker help. Not trying to knock the old folks because cancer has certainly aged me and I fit right in with the seniors now, but seriously this was out of hand. I got in line to grab a $4.50 cheeseburger. Waited in line for over 20 minutes just to order. Then waited another 20 minutes to get the burger. Sadly, I lost my patience and went back in line, got my money back from the cashier and walked out with a $4.00 smoothie from the much younger vendor next door.
With my $5 in hand, I went into the food tent, which is where I found the festival failure. The problem wasn't the variety or prices, it was The Lions Club! They should have hired some help, possibly younger, quicker help. Not trying to knock the old folks because cancer has certainly aged me and I fit right in with the seniors now, but seriously this was out of hand. I got in line to grab a $4.50 cheeseburger. Waited in line for over 20 minutes just to order. Then waited another 20 minutes to get the burger. Sadly, I lost my patience and went back in line, got my money back from the cashier and walked out with a $4.00 smoothie from the much younger vendor next door.
All in all, today was a perfect day to enjoy nature, the company of my family, and the blue sky. I took some pictures, got some exercise and left with $1.00 in my pocket!
See all the photos here --> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.774104502631037.1073741829.771473899560764&
See all the photos here --> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.774104502631037.1073741829.771473899560764&
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