Sat – Apr 14/12

Up and out even without breakfast – we will eat at the Town Square.

We found a parking spot close to the square then stopped at a church booth for Sausage-on-a-Bun w/sauerkraut and iced tea. Bonus – free dessert while they last. I’m sure the dessert was donated by the church ladies. We had lemon squares which were delicious.

We started through the Craft Fair where vendors were repairing their tents which had blown over in the high winds last night. They were still “splinting” the tent support arms when we arrived. Charlotte found a lovely Butterfly (Embroidered) blouse set. We then stayed in front of the booth for the parade which had arrived at the square. It was a hoot!

As usual, the parade was led by the Fire Trucks and local military “Honour (Honor – sorry, American, not Canadian spelling - grin) Guard”. The parade then became a cross-section of a small town. With upcoming elections every politician had a float as did every other business in town including the “Burnet Feed Store BBQ” where we ate last night.

The high school band marched and played, sports teams and their cheerleaders marched. Everyone not watching was marching. Even the handicapped were on floats as were seniors from the “home” and kids from day schools.

There were enough convertibles (and new Camaros from a local dealer/event sponsor) throughout the parade. Floats had Miss “This” or “That” waving to the crowd...Miss Bluebonnet, Junior Miss, Young Miss, Little Miss and Tiny Miss. Hundreds participate in these pageants each year. (It’s a wonder they didn’t include Mis(s)Conception...grin). They also had everything covered for all the “…of the Year” awards: …Citizen, Senior Citizen, Student, etc., etc., etc.

Half the motorcycles were ridden by women as were half of the horses. Almost every church group not at the square selling food, giving away “free” water or other items (for a donation) was represented by a float.

The “Ford Model A” Club had a ratio of more than 1 per 1000 citizens with the majority being 2 doors w/rumble seats.

There were two senior “drill teams”: The “Beachers” were a “World Famous Lawn Chair Brigade”.

The “Hill Country Plungettes” twirled a mean toilet plunger.

After the parade we took pictures at the “Bluebonnets” then went around the square twice. Once to do the craft booths on the outside, then again to do those on the inside.

I found a “Lone Star” brand Cowboy Hat I liked. Charlotte bought a 2012 Edition of “Bluebonnet Festival” T-shirt (Blue) at the official booth. The picture of Longhorn cattle in a field of Bluebonnets on the T-shirt is by this year’s featured artist – Daniel Adams. Daniel has been head of an art department at Disney World as well Art Director for Metrovision Movie Picture Studios. He also designed the Florida “Challenger” license plate as well as the Orange County (FL) Flag.

We then stopped again for a while at the main stage to listen to the “Hired Guns” who were performing for the 14^th year at the festival. We missed participating in the 5 K Run (grin), the Golf Tournament, the Pet Parade and the Rubber Ducky Race as well as the arrival of the “Hill Country Flyer” (and corresponding gunfight) at the train station (where we parked last night). Shucks! There was just too much going on – all at the same time.

I bought a calendar featuring “old cars” that are featured in George Boutwell’s “Gold Signature Prints”. George is an Official Texas State Artist (2006) and his work is exceptional. Charlotte found a hand-painted (Bluebonnets and Indian Brush Wildflowers) salt and pepper set and a place mat with Wildflowers on one side and the Texas State Flag on the other.

Next it was off to Hamilton Creek Park for the Antique and Hot Rod Show which featured a cross section of styles and eras. My favourites – a rare 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible and a Corvair pick-up.

We also caught a glimpse of the air show planes as they looped and trailed smoke over the square.

Leaving the park we took a top-off trip through Marble Falls to the Horseshoe Bay, TX (Resort) area. This is considered by many as the “Premier Resort” in Texas. The resort is huge! It incorporates a 3 “Robert Trent Jones” golf courses, an 18 hole “putting” course, 12 tennis courts4 swimming pools, luxury condominiums, a yacht club, a marina, an full service jet airstrip and miles of lakefront with a white sand beach.  Impressive...to say the least!

Returning to Marble Falls we stopped at The Blue Bonnet Cafe for supper. This place has been an institution since 1929. It has been voted “#1 Breakfast (2^nd Dessert, 4^th Lunch) and one of the Top Ten (Overall) Restaurants of Texas. No small feat for a “home-style” cooking restaurant! We can vouch for the great food, huge portions, reasonable prices and friendly atmosphere. At 3 pm (when we arrived) they were still lined up out the door (and another 20 in line inside). Folks coming out said,  “It’s worth the wait”...and they were right.

I had Liver and Onions w/Bacon. Charlotte had the catfish. Each came with 3 sides. The pie was great! Yes – we also took “doggie bags” back to the RV.

At the park Charlotte took pictures of the Cactii in bloom.

Later we decided to pass on the Demolition Derby and rest tonight. There is still more to do tomorrow!