BY Sarah smith
ssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.com
A festival of craziness took place downtown Thursday, starting with a brisk run at 8 a.m.
Costumed runners showed up for the Downtown Dash and 5K Run.
Street performers filled Pioneer Park throughout the day.
And Mother Nature once again smiled on the day, dousing participants with a brief but torrid rainfall late Thursday afternoon.
Then as Arvig Communications began setting up its community picnic, the sun burst through the clouds. The pulled pork sandwiches and free meal had dozens standing in line, shaking off the occasional raindrop that lingered.
Crazy Days continued Friday, but many of the good buys had been snatched up the day before.
For the second year in a row, downtown Park Rapids is the place to be Thursdays. Merchants keep their doors open late and music fills the flowered streets, which were in full bloom.
Tom Paulson of Moose Creek was dressed as a creature from the wild. He’s likely still scrubbing off the black paint that adorned his face.
Kids lined up for the air tents and bounced in one-by-one.
Some folks even brought their own carpet to adorn the folding chairs. Flip flops were left on the rug. People are getting so accustomed to their new improved downtown, it appears they don’t want to soil the street with muddy footprints.
Patchouli took the stage Thursday evening. The Wisconsin duo is a local favorite and performed songs from their new acoustic CD.
The evening ended on a nostalgic note. Some who packed up their lawn chairs noted the chill in the wind and wondered if a summer that has barely started is coming to a premature end.
