We have our own particular summer here in Prescott. All because we have our very own civic lawn, right in the center of town. It's a carefully curried greensward that every summer supports booths and crowds for weekend shows, as well as smaller crowds enjoying musicians on weekday evenings. Quite understandable that our Courthouse Plaza was just honored as one of the USA's 10 top public spaces by the American Planning Association.
But, I'd say, equally important is that local folk and visitors alike simply hang out on the lawn at the Square. Here's a look at some of the less frenetic activity. When your toes start getting chilly, remember there'll be yet another summer.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. The Square is the best place in town to enjoy kicking up the leaves dropped every autumn, tho it takes the right timing to arrive after a maximum leaf fall and just in front of the rakes and leaf blowers.
Loved the picture of the derelict drinking out of a brown paper bagged bottle. Just what you need in "America's Home Town."
ReplyDeleteAh, so I wasn't the only one to spot that specific photo! LOL
ReplyDeleteSummer 2006, dinner at St. Michael's on the corner. Patrol car lights, commotion...stabbing on the Courthouse lawn.
Ah, yes, Whiskey Row ambience.
Prescott, Arizona!
~Anon in AV.
Sitting in a park is thirsty work.
ReplyDeleteShades of 'Music Man'. Pobert Preston where are you?
ReplyDeleteHermano
PS my favorite musical.
Erratum: Robert instead of probert
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:) My favorite place to spend the lunch hours when I'm not wandering the alleyways of Prescott. Lean against a tree and read a book or scribble in the notebook.
ReplyDeleteAnd is that violin case photo from the photowalk by chance?
Candid camera on the loose! Love this post, GJ:)
ReplyDeleteBother! I wrote a response yesterday afternoon; Blogger appears not to have posted it. Or perhaps ate it!
ReplyDeletecat-A -- part of the scene in almost any public park, I would guess. Unless said park is patrolled by jackbooted thugs.
ReplyDeleteanon av -- I debated including the drinker, but what the hey! I do recall that when we first moved up to Prescott, the sheriff always erected a temp jail on the Square for the 4th of July rodeo weekend.
steve -- you've got it!
bro -- to think that we have a gazebo where we periodically have band concerts.
tombo -- indeed it is the violin case photo from the photowalk. Finally found a place where it fitted in with the theme.
brain -- I'm not really a Weegee type photographer as a rule, but I don't think it's possible to get a picture of the Courthouse lawn without people. Besides, they make it what it is.
Do the Jaycees still maintain that mock jail on the Square for tourists not dressed in Western wear during Frontier Days? Wearing jeans, cowboy boots, and long-sleeved shirts in July seemed almost as onerous as the embarrassment of being caught in there.
ReplyDeletemelanie -- I think they've given up on that one; don't know just when it happened. I don't mind the Square on most holidays, but usually do the local-folk thing and leave the 4th to the tourists.
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