community day

The boro hosted its annual Community Day today. The streets were blocked off around 8AM so we started with our loose tradition of walking carelessly about them.

The events were scheduled to start at 11 but I was eager to get out so started wandering before then. I worried for a bit about how small the crowd was then reminded myself how anxiously early I arrived. The silence afforded me a minute to circle the park and petting zoo. By noon the streets were full.

I ran into one neighbor whose partner met us in front of a church. After a loop around the park I split off from them to meet another neighbor at a stand selling knives. She and I visited the civic tables where we met some of the boro's commissioners and people serving on various boards. I stopped at the firehouse to see a friend who volunteers there then had a chat with neighbors I normally pass with only a wave as my hands are usually full with leashes. I stopped for the live music and met with yet another neighbor who volunteers at the firehouse. I bought a hot dog for the dogs, their spoils of war.

A woman I met earlier this year who volunteers for parks flagged me down and I met with her and her family. I saw a man wearing a shirt from last weekend's Wissahickon walk and said hi. He said he joined the seven mile hike and remarked about how few places there are left like the creek in the area. I said we have to hold on to what we have, and he agreed.