Stepping back in time....

Last week my family and I took a step back in time for the afternoon....to Dodge City circa 1878. We headed north into Ohio for the Old West Festival! This festival is every little boy's (and some grown up's) dream....delicious snacks and foods, cowboys, lawmen, gunslingers of every variety, a shoot out and trick shooting demonstrations, can can girls....What more could you ask for?

I had never heard of the Old West Festival (sadly!!) but this year celebrated it's 3rd year at it's permanent site in Ohio between Williamsburg and Mt. Orab. It's a lovely drive, especially with the autumn leaves changing all around you, and well worth the time spent on the road.

Liam looked suspiciously like the image on the 'Wanted' poster..Hmmm....

Everyone we met from the folks that helped with parking to the folks who ran the little shops and games were so sweet and helpful and definitely full of fun! (and that's saying quite a bit...we picked a drizzly, chilly day to attend...no one seemed to mind terribly much!!) Once we established that neither of the boys were 'Wanted' (at least not at the moment) they were both promptly deputized and made to promise to protect the peace, mind their parents and eat their broccoli. Amen!







Next thing you know some gunslingers decided to rob the bank. This poor guy tried to stop them....should have waited for his posse!

Good guy or bad guy?? In the Old West I imagine it could be hard to tell at times....
















Time for a shoot out....lawmen vs. Gunslingers!
I don't want to ruin it for you..but the good guys won.....







There's a main street with a saloon and many different kinds of shops....crafts, cool stuff for the kids, delicious treats, leather goods, the list goes on and on! Besides the main street there are many tents with wonderful hand made goods as well...the best kettle corn I've ever had in my life!! You can even get a tin mug of sarsaparilla if you fancy one!

The boys taking a load off near a cute covered wagon...and me getting my Old West on. Think I can rock the frontier look??

Every where we roamed there was music as well...so many little stages and platforms where you can sit and just enjoy the music, perhaps a tasty treat, and relax and watch the cowboys wander by.




We really enjoyed listening to this group..The White Oak Singers....they were amazing!! Liam and I sneaked off to take a covered wagon ride while Daddy and Ewan listened to more drums...

I don't get alone time with my big guy very often..it was nice!

Did I mention there was a ton of fun stuff for the kids to do?? Several different games, a kid sized train to take rides on, pony rides.....

Pan for gold, anyone??

All in all it was a great trip, lots of fun stuff to do and see, and we'll definitely be making a return trip next year! (I've been instructed to begin construction on our costumes now so that they'll be ready by next year....guess I'm going to be busy!)


And how can you end the day at the Old West Festival without having your own shoot out....

Three...

Two....

One....

Draw!!

Sadly this weekend was the last for the Old West Festival this year...but they'll be back next year!! Besides their website you can also find them on Facebook....get updates on next years theme weekends, dates and much more!