My wife and I took our first trip to the city yesterday, Sunday 4/10 and we couldn't have planned it better. We arrived a little earlier than normal because of reading about the bag check and long lines to enter the park. With a scheduled park opening at 10am we were strolling through the parking lot at 9:35 expecting some sort of crowds making their way into the park, but instead found a very quiet, calm, and somewhat empty area heading towards the gates. Maybe it was the weather forecast (rain and wind early, but clearing by mid morning) and the fact that so many folks had already visited several times during spring break days, but we've never had such a relaxing entrance to the park on a festival weekend day. The rain was already gone. It was a bit windy and somewhat cool early, but we like it on the cool side in the park during spring.
Weeks ago we were pretty disappointed to hear the news that the World Fest is here for the last time over the next month or so, and so we plan on catching this festival at least one day every weekend while it's still here. From the experiences of past March opening weekend and subsequent spring break visits we decided not to visit at all during March and save our trips for World Fest and BBQ. Reading what some folks had to say about their March visits I think we made the right choice.
We actually were running a bit later than planned as we wanted to catch the Ecuador group at 9:20 at the Gazebo, but we zipped through the bag check quickly and sat down at the Gazebo in time to catch a few songs from the group. We've been watching the Ecuador groups for years and always make a point of enjoying their music during visits. Several years ago when the World Fest was in its early stages of life at SDC the Ecuador group that visited the park was a group named Atahualpa and we just loved those guys. I'm not sure when Dollywood started the Festival of Nations in that park, but when they did Atahualpa began playing that park every spring and Ecuador Manta started coming to SDC. I really, really like Manta, but Dollywood gets our personal fave group every year. We always wished they would mix it up more instead putting the same group at the separate parks each year. Oh well, it's the last year anyhow.
Just after park opening ceremonies we were thrilled to sit down for a spell with the Pickers outside the Homestead. We're always afraid the guys are gonna hole up inside the cabin with limited seating, and with the cool temps and wind we kind of expected that, but they were out on the porch yesterday morn and my wife smiled the whole time as she enjoys watching Greg Bailey and Walt play their instruments.
After the Pickers we strolled down the big hill towards the Saloon/Lumberjack area and it was very open and easy going for 10:40 on a weekend morning at SDC. I can see that the Fried Bread thing is gonna cause some traffic problems in the future though. I can't imagine what that area will be like when Rhonda Vincent is in town playing at the Opera House with the waiting lines for the show going past that bread building and all the kiddos and families trying to get to Powder Keg and FITH. It could get a lil' crazy.
The PK was pretty much a walk on for us, but we waited a couple of trains for the front seat. We don't get ride that thing up front much anymore because of huge waiting lines or downtime, so we took advantage of the opportunity and got a rare ride up front. PK is still my favorite ride in the park, and one of my all time faves. It never gets old to me. On to the FITH.
It was the most curious thing of the day: FITH at 10:50ish was our longest wait time of the day. The folks were about six deep or so in each of the lanes, not a long wait by any means, but we were a lil' surprised it wasn't just a walk on. The plan was to be over at the Red Gold for the 11:30 Africa show by about 11:10 so we would be sure to get in. Last year we had terrible problems ever getting to see the Africa show as it was always full before we arrived, but finally was able to sneak in once late in the festival and cram ourselves into a couple of seats in between some rather large individuals (the show was great I remember, the seating was not). This time, especially with the smallish crowd in the park yesterday, the Africa show was priority number one. Anyhow, I figured on and gambled that no way there's enough folks in the park to fill the Island Fire show at 11:00 and the Africa at 11:30, so there's no need to hurry. We waited the three trains or so to get on FITH and at the end of the ride we rode into a pretty much empty station. The wait to get on must have been just one of those coincidences where a few dozen people just happened to show up at the same time. Off to red Gold and Zuma Zuma.
As we predicted, and gambled on, the doors to the Heritage Hall were open and we strolled into about a 2/3 full venue. We went to the far end of the hall and pretty much had a section to ourselves. The show was of course very lively and entertaining. My wife liked the women twirling the square cloth things and the acrobats using the poles, while I most enjoyed the guy doing the balancing act and the woman using her feet to spin the barrel and table. The band and singer is a nice touch overall with the whole group.
The crowd from the hall filled up the Frisco Barn at lunch time, but we walked through there to see all the different foods available. I wasn't hungry at the time, and we rarely eat at the city, but the smells of all those foods made my stomach rumble. In the future I think I may try some jambalaya or maybe some variety of nachos, or pizza.
We wanted to catch Ecuador again at 12:30 so we made or way back towards the Gazebo after a quick stop at the candy factory for some dark chocolate cashew clusters to munch later on the trip home. Walking across the wooden bridge we noticed we were the only ones on the bridge. Not a big deal really but how often can a person walk up through there pretty much unimpeded at 12:30 on a Sunday during a festival. There were a few more people arriving in the park now, but it was still so comfortable and easy going. Manta played "Flight of the Condor", my favorite number from them and it was time to check out the Flooded Mine.
I think I read that some work had been done on the mine in the off season. I told my wife some time ago that the mine's days left in the park are likely numbered, but heck, if SDC decided to put some elbow grease and $$$ back into the mine then maybe they'll keep it on site after all. I obviously have no idea, but we wanted to check out the current state of the attraction. IMO, I would be very disappointed to see the mine go away as I love having it in the park. I don't really have an eye for details and don't always remember those details from year to year in the city, but the mine looked pretty good to me. One of our guns wasn't working though, and the theme music was not playing (not good). Most of the targets seemed to be functioning alright, but some of the sound effects were not. Everything looked well to the eye around and in the mine, but there's still some things not working.
We had no plans to ride the train Sunday, but after leaving the mine and circling back around we noticed a half full, if that, train station with a train sitting in the depot! Most times we have to make a point of riding the train and an time committing effort to do just that, but we walked right on that thing this time without even planning to do so. Wow, what a day in the park, huh? I don't know the actors names but it was the woman from last year (she used to be a ride operator) and one of the regular guys playing Alfie and Ralphie. We sat up front real close to the steam engine for the first time ever (were usually in the third or forth car) and watched the guy run the train. That whistle sure is loud up there! It's a lil' hard to hear the skit up front in the "high-roller" seats, but they did a great job with the robbery and the woman claimed them. I then talked my wife into riding Outlaw Run.
Once again, pretty much a walk on for OR. And like PK before we decided to wait a few extra trains for a front seat ride. Great ride and it still seems fairly smooth riding up front as opposed to the rougher ride in the back. There was a bit of a line at the barn swing though. We wanted to take a swing but we needed to get back up to the Homestead for the Pickers at 2:30 down at the pickin' shed.
We arrived at the area and started the walk down the mulched hill to the shed and noticed no one down at the shed, nobody. Uh oh! I much prefer watching the guys down there. So we went back towards the cabin hoping they were coming out onto the front porch for the set but, uh oh!, nobody on the porch either. So either they're not doing afternoon sets or they're crammed in that cabin. We peaked in the cabin and there they were. Fortunately the place wasn't nearly full so we went on in and sat at the bench in front of the bed. Danny said the wind was blowing so hard on the seats down at the shed they figured everyone would be more comfortable in the confines of the cabin. We'll take the wind and the shed anytime over the small cabin, but no matter on this day as the place never completely filled up causing obstructed views, funny smells, or coughing and sneezing by folks in a tight space. About two songs into the set an older couple did set down on or by the bed behind us and crunched kettle corn in our ear, unceasingly rattled that cellophane bag the corn came in, and talked a lot through the set. We moved to some chairs on the left side. Anyhow, Greg Becker played some nice tunes on his trapezoid and it was nearly time to head on home to Nixa and catch the end of the Masters Golf tournament on TV.
Yesterday was probably one of better 5-6 hour trips to the city we've had in years. I fully realize they need the crowds to keep the place open but it was nice to enjoy the park casually, still have all rides open and up-and-running, and a selection of entertaining shows to take in. Next Sunday we'll make a point of seeing Island Fire in the Playhouse, and Slask song and dance in the Opera House. The next two Sundays after that we'll just take them as they come in the city and roll with how those days go.
Looking forward to the next three Sundays of our final World Fest and then preparing for the insanity that in recent years has come with the Bluegrass & BBQ in May (hordes of us bluegrass fans and endless busloads of kids on school trips).