Tacky In Avondale

Jon Horne loves free stuff.  I can't blame him.  I do too.  As luck would have it, we moved into the 'hood 4 days before the annual celebration, Christmas In Avondale.  New (very friendly) neighbors were quick to inform us of this beloved neighborhood event.  Friday evening, we strolled up and down St. John's Avenue, popping into shops, looking at twinkling lights, and hustling to grab complimentary drinks, treats, etc. offered by vendors.  What a great neighborhood, free stuff!

En route to catch the Fishweir Elementary Advanced Band performance our eyes were drawn to a cart with hot chocolate and tantalizing cookies.  We veered right, magnetized by the sight.  Carefully dodging a Christmas-sweatered middle-aged woman, we pounced.  Jon Horne immediately snagged a cookie, chomped, and pivoted returning to the street.  I grabbed and turned, but not before the girl manning the booth, frantically called, "That'll be two dollars!"  The Hornes stopped in their tracks and grimaced.  Shamefully, we turned and explained that we 1. thought this was free ("like the cookies down the street!" J.Horne was quick to add) and 2. that we had no cash.  The disapproving look we received did not communicate Christmas cheer, nor generosity.  After a beat of silence, the twenty-something dismissed us with a flip of her hair and a "Don't worry about it."  Oh well!

We were off to catch a few Christmas carols by the band, which was hilarious, and the best surprise?  An Holiday Performance by national champs, The Legacy Twirlers ---- the best batonyas around.  After a painfully awkward problem with the PA and "the wrong CD" these girls dazzled the crowd with batons, spandex, and glow sticks.  Nothing ushers in the Yuletide like high-caliber, baton-twirling tweens.  Great way to kick off the Holiday Season.

Christmas Baton-Twirling!