August 27, 2011 — Saturday morning, after a sleepless night in the warm, humid, air-conditionless room above a noisy alley at the Colebrook House, I arose and crossed the street for breakfast at Howard's Restaurant. I checked out of my room and headed for Canaan, Vermont, about ten miles away, for the second day of Moose Festival activities. I arrived about 9. It was sunny and pleasant and dozens of tents and booths were already set up. The show car area was beginning to fill with antique and custom cars. Many food and drink vendors had set up in their trailers.
The crafts on display and for sale were truly impressive. Beautiful woodwork and carvings, colorful knitted garments, art and decorations were everywhere. Photo opportunities were much better than in Colebrook the day before. There were pony rides for children, and a wagon pulled by a pair of Belgian horses was taking groups on a tour around Canaan. The Lions Club, as usual, was serving their popular moose burgers. There was also a moose stew cook-off where you could sample stews prepared by local restaurants and vote for your favorite. The Berlin (New Hampshire) Jazz Band entertained. Two huge birthday cakes were brought out and pieces offered free in honor of the Moose Festival's 20th anniversary.
As the day wore on, threatening clouds were building, but the rain held off. I left, reluctantly, at about 3 and made the three-hour drive home without encountering rain, but the next day many areas of a poorly-prepared Vermont were devastated by Hurricane Irene, by then reduced to a tropical storm, but still the most destructive storm to hit Vermont in over 70 years.
My photos and videos of the Canaan event can be seen at this link:
http://www.linwoodstreet.com/canaan2011/
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