A Slice of Americana

... Midwest style.

After poking around the back roads of Appalachia for a couple of weeks, it was kinda fun to do the same in rural Wisconsin. Sure, they sound different, but rural Americans are rural Americans, regardless of their accent. Not many are the type we'd see at the outdoor Shakespeare theatre.



And the Shakespeare crowd (who travel there from the big city), are not the type we'd see at the local tractor pull, either. But I kinda liked both. :)



The B&B that served as home base for the weekend has been a favorite for about 15 years. The atmosphere is gracious and relaxed.





This little town is the home of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, and so the arts community is strong here.

There was an exhibit in a little downtown storefront put on by students at Wright's school of design; this one was on affordable and simple shelters (which the students actually build and live in for several months.) Some were pretty cool looking.


































































And speaking of Wright, he designed a chapel for his extended family and neighbors. Normally it isn't used anymore, but for a few weeks in the summer, the family opens it up and has "programs" there on Sunday morning, which are basically just lectures with a little folk music thrown in. The family cemetery is on the property, and many of the grave markers are in Art Deco or Arts & Crafts style. Interesting.








But go a few miles West of Taliesin, and you find a distinctly non-artsy style of life. Softball, beer, and chicken dinner fundraisers, just across the field from the grain depot. :)






And since it was 4th of July weekend, naturally there was a parade. With a few local twists. Like no marching bands. They rode on the back of flatbed trailers. Odd.




We grabbed a hunk of curb right across from the parade officials and the announcer, who had set up shop in front of the car wash.



There was definitely the usual flinging of candy in front of the spectators, and a mad scramble of children to get it.



Somehow I managed to snag my share.



And the local Schwan's ice cream truck went by and we all got popsicles. :) Awww... thanks!



There was also the usual pretty girl in a convertible doing the "beauty queen wave".



And a few floats from local organizations, like a car club,



a karaoke bar,



a church...



But the vast majority of the parade entries were vintage tractors and fire department vehicles, new and old. Kinda made a guy hungry for chicken dinners at the fairground, and maybe a little beer, you know?