I had a chance to drive past the square early on a recent Saturday morning to see a true still life: Courthouse Square with ghosts.
Tis the season. Of the art shows. The antique shows. The collectibles shows. The rodeo. The Tsunami on the Square. The Art Car Parade. In fact, almost any activity that will draw tourists up from the heat of Phoenix to spend their paychecks.
When I was young, in Chicago, we had only two art fairs: one in Hyde Park, the other in Old Town. Out of such modest beginnings has sprung up a veritable nationwide Industry. There is a ritual order to the weekend event. Exhibitors arrive of a Friday afternoon or evening to pitch their tents. Next morning, the fair opens and crowds gather. Comes dusk, the tents close their flaps, to open again on Sunday. Sunday evening (or Monday in the case of a long weekend), the wares are gathered, tents folded, and exhausted exhibitors drive away to recover and prepare for the next weekend's venue. Yet not a never-ending cycle; eventually, the first frost puts a stop to another summer's shows.
Tis the season. Of the art shows. The antique shows. The collectibles shows. The rodeo. The Tsunami on the Square. The Art Car Parade. In fact, almost any activity that will draw tourists up from the heat of Phoenix to spend their paychecks.
When I was young, in Chicago, we had only two art fairs: one in Hyde Park, the other in Old Town. Out of such modest beginnings has sprung up a veritable nationwide Industry. There is a ritual order to the weekend event. Exhibitors arrive of a Friday afternoon or evening to pitch their tents. Next morning, the fair opens and crowds gather. Comes dusk, the tents close their flaps, to open again on Sunday. Sunday evening (or Monday in the case of a long weekend), the wares are gathered, tents folded, and exhausted exhibitors drive away to recover and prepare for the next weekend's venue. Yet not a never-ending cycle; eventually, the first frost puts a stop to another summer's shows.
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