Went there, did that, got the t-shirt. There it is, right there, to the left.
As much as you'll hear me talk about my beloved New Orleans, you should also know that I love the part of Tennessee where I've lived since 2000. Franklin is a beautiful small town with a historic downtown, but it isn't the only place like that around these parts. Today, my youngest kiddo and chief sidekick in quirkiness joined me in historic Bell Buckle, TN, for a festival I've been wanting to visit since I've moved here. Yep, it's taken me almost 20 years to get to the RC and Moonpie Festival!
I was in good company, though. The Food Network was also there wandering the grounds with their fancy cameras, drones, and fuzzy boom mics. While I didn't get interviewed or anything, we are probably in some crowd shots.
The drive was lovely and peaceful early on a beautiful Saturday morning, but the giggles began as we came upon the last leg of the 10K racers. No, the runners weren't funny, but the cop escorting them was hysterical. Using his speaker, he was reminding the runners of all the treats awaiting them at the finish line: "Cinnamon donuts, everybody!" I'm certain that made more than a few of them get their second wind.
First things first when you get to Bell Buckle. You look at the precious old houses, some with more personality than others. Mermaid and pier posts, anyone? No? How about pastel tennis balls in a whimsical garden?
Once you've done that, you have to do the obligatory head-in-the-hole pictures.
Then comes the best part. Go to the Chamber of Commerce tent where they have huge silver farm tubs of ice with glass bottles of RC Cola. Grab one of those and pick your poison of Moonpie flavor. (Chocolate) Hand over $2 and you're in with the cool kids. Sip and snack away while you take in the local entertainment. Say, some cloggers. Or the guy playing guitar and singing in the doorway of a barn.
There are lots of booths and a smattering of food choices with a range of vendors from kitschy toys to some really nice jewelry pieces. If the tent vendors don't strike your fancy, just head over to Main Street and you'll fall into a wonderland of antique shops. Now, here's where Franklin and Bell Buckle veer away from one another. Franklin is full of high-end expensive things you look at and drool over, but would have to mortgage the house or sell off a first-born to buy. Bell Buckle has more odd-ball things and affordable items for a range of antiquers. But, still, don't knock anything over with your purse. It might be a $2 garage sale find, or a $200 collector's item. Hard to tell at first glace with some of these things!
Find a good spot in the shade on the curb for the parade. Stake it out early and snack on something (kettlecorn) while you wait. Chat with folks. Everyone is super nice and approachable. And lots are very funny. I mean, you're at a festival about Moonpies, for heaven's sake. You might even meet a hilarious new friend on that curb, like Peggy. She has great taste in purses.
The parade is short and sweet, apparently led by the same cheerleading cop who, over his speaker, said "What a good-lookin' bunch of folks we got here! Not a criminal among 'em!" He was probably right. I mean, seriously, the nicest folks! Best part? Aside from the Hagrid twin of a bearded King of the Festival in a t-shirt and lace skirt? They throw Moonpies!
One of the most fun days I've had in a long time! Super quirky festival in a quirky place. But, hey, this is me we're talking about. Quirk is my jam.
Worth the nearly 20 year wait, but I won't wait that long to go back! You should totally go! Have some fun, get with the sweet spirit of the place, and make some new friends! Every summer in Bell Buckle, TN.
