Main Street Wauchula - Friday Night Live

Friday Morning we headed down for pickleball, as usual around 9:00. We've been playing morning and night now for several days. But,if Rich and Dee had their way, we'd be playing 24/7!!! Everyone was out playing this morning, because tonight was FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE, at the Main Street Heritage Park , Main Street, WAUCHULA!! Yes folks, we are giving up pickleball Friday night to check out Main Stree Wauchula.
Once a month, Main Street is closed, the vendors come out and the residents and visitors to the area come out from 5:00 to 9:00 for fun, dancing and entertainment. This month the theme for the night was "Pumpkins in the Park", appropriate, given the time of year and the nearing of Halloween.

It was trick or treat night for kids (and adults). Many came in costume and the local merchants dolled out Halloween goodies from 5:00- 7:00. They even had a couple of those huge tent things where the kids can go inside and jump to their heart's content. There were a few scarecrows on display - tonight they would reveal the winners of the scarecrow dressing contest. There was a big pumpkin patch where people were taking photos, decorating pumpkins or buying pumkins to take home. And tonight they would also reaveal the winners of the pumkin decorating contest. Very festive evening and by 5:30 - 6:00 there was really a great crowd of people.

There were several vendors with their tents up. You could buy Hot Dogs, Nachos, Snow Cones, Popcorn, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream. Above is the Popcorn tent. The vat that they were popping the corn is was HUGE....we watch as he stirred the kernals constantly - then the popping would begin and you could see the steam rising -------and when done - a flip of the vat and the popcorn was bagged and ready for enjoying. I guess this is genuine Kettle Corn!

If there are any animals around - that's generally where you will find Rich and I. And this is where we ran into Rich and Dee!!!! The Hardee Animal Rescue Team (HART) sent up a booth and brought several of their dogs and cats that were up for adoption. This is fairly new in Wauchula - but they are working hard to establish a no-kill shelter for animals. They have a small shelter now, and have families who will take in some of the pets until they are adopted. Adoption is just $75 and that includes all shots and spay/neutering. They welcome any and all donations of food, old blankets or towels ets. Rich and I would very much like to do a pickleball tournamet this winter as a Benefit to help them out.

The Pumpkin Patch.......

And where is Rich?.............At the Hot Fudge Shop for a Root Beer Float!!!

Meanwhile - on stage was the T C Alan Band, with a special guest appearance by Kaylah Coker, a very talented young lady - from the local High School, I believe. They were both very entertaining.

And there were more of the crew from PeaceRiver at Friday Night Live tonight. - That is Don, Connie, Gloria, Brenda, Buddy, Rich and Matt. We just met Matt and Connie for the first time - Matt learned to play pickleball out in Texas - and so he's been on the courts playing. We're hoping to get the other three out for some beginner lessons this weekend.

And then there were more............Many of you will recognize Dawn - from the office at Peace River and her husband Ranger Tim! That's Dawn's son, Cory with them. Dawn and I did get to do the electric slide before the night was over!!

And where is Rich? Yes that's him again - this time with a HUGE funnel cake.

THREE FOR THIRTY THREE!!!! Ok - There was this other vendor selling Simple Salsa Seasoning. We stopped by tasted a sample, which was very good - and decided that we may stop back and buy a can before we left. You add the seasoning to one can of petite diced tomatoes and VOILA - you have Salsa! Each can sells for $15 or TWO for TWENTY FIVE. We told Matt and Connie about it - and then went and bought a can for $15. Gloria thought she'd like a can. Dee and Rich went over to sample it and they thought they'd like a can. So Rich and Dee, with support from Matt, went back to the tent and started to bargain. Would they sell THREE for THIRTY THREE? After a little laughter and a little more discussion - they agreed!!! So we all went home with Salsa! If we have a Happy Hour one day soon - I'm afraid we'll be eating a lot of chips and Salsa!!

Friday Night Live - Main Street Wauchula in November is Wauchula Idol! They say to bring your lawn chair - and get a seat early!!