Summer Night

One of my neighbors - the walking buddy - invited me to go with her to an outdoor concert our township was sponsoring . The band was a 60's group that had survived the ravages of time and put on a wonderful show ! There was an opening act , a talented guitarist who warmed up the crowd . The interim between acts was filled with awards given to sponsors who made the event free to the public ( hooray ! ) and recognition of the local youth baseball teams' winning efforts this season .
There is something very special about an outdoor event on a summer's night...a wonderful sense of community . Families of all ages gathered on the newly cut grass (perfect for racing little feet !) ...spreading blankets and picnics...setting up lawn chairs...visiting back and forth . The air - so hot and humid during the day - cooled off with gentle breezes that carried the beckoning scents of the food offered for sale by local organizations . The usual goodies made their appearance...hotdogs and burgers...sausage and pepper sandwiches...ice cream (in the truck and hand-scooped by a nearby ice cream parlor )...funnel cakes...all so compelling !
There was a booth offering something new to me...butterfly fries . These were not the usual square French fries in a tight corkscrew . Some bright soul had the foresight to run a whole potato through an old-fashioned apple corer/slicer . The result was an eight inch high mound of something like a continuous frilly strand of "kettle fries " . Oh , Baby !!! They were light , crisp and totally yummy ! Summer memories would not be complete for me without the food factor...what did you eat ?...where did you eat it ?...what were its colors/tastes/textures ? Somehow all the senses were heightened and contributed to a totally delightful evening !
There will be another concert in two weeks and rumors of an outdoor movie in between !...an embarassment of riches !