Main Street Block Party - Snakes Exhibit  7-15-2017

We were at the Glosta Block Pahty on Main Street in front of Toodeloos Toy Store with a native snake display and a bunch of other snakes for people to get up close and personal with. We were mobbed. The expression that comes to mind for this event was INSANE. It was so crazy. Kids and adults were lined up, sometimes five and ten deep, waiting to hold a snake. Thousands of people stopped by our booth. It was just so much fun and we literally helped make so many people happy and amazed. What a memorable night. It's really great we didn't miss this event!

It must be said that the range of emotions we see at these activities is so varied by person and can be so multifaceted within a person too. We see exhilaration, joy, excitement, fear, mystery, hesitation, peacefulness, and awe. Some adults and children get into a sort of zen state. The folks who start out visibly afraid are so interesting. First they stand back but you know they are super interested. Then they move closer. Then they talk to you a little bit after they tell you they're scared and they tell you they can't get over it. Then they touch a snake near the tail. Then they pet the snake a little more. Then they wait for a few more people to hold it and they watch. Then you ask them if they want to try and they eventually say yes. People just need to get over themselves but it's not always easy or possible to do. Although snakes are really fascinating animals... so too are humans. 

Besides our snakes there were three different stages with musical performances, flame throwers, dancers, henna tattoos, fried dough, face painting, and a whole assortment of other exhibits, arts, and crafts. The Main Street Block Party is really a well put together event that supports the diverse culture and tastes of our community.

Thanks to our volunteers Diane, Kate and Jon Bevins, Steve McCrory, Colleen Anderson, Wilhelmina Rolf Thaemert and Victoria Rolf, Cora Hawks and Marisa Neves. And thanks to Don and Susan Boyé at Toodeloos Toy Store.

Photographs by Victoria Rolf