Crowds flocked to the tree-lined boulevards as local schools, clubs, and businesses made their way through the streets. The theme for this year was "reach for the stars". This didn't actually seem to affect any of the entries, but it's always nice to have something that ties it all together. The Walnut King himself presided and judged over the marching bands and majorettes, although he did this mutely and with proper regal equanimity towards all his subjects.
The festivities actually date back to 1911, when it was The Grape Festival. But walnuts soon became more lucrative than grapes, and so the vineyards were replaced with groves. Then real estate became far more lucrative than walnuts, and the rest is suburbia. But the tradition has lived on, and events like the annual crab feed, a 10k run, and "Fishing in the city" (I'm not making this up) are celebrated by young and old alike.
Then the grand finale! A truck full of walnuts was driven through the streets, the people inside pelting bystanders with hard nuts while those of us outside threw them back and at each other in a hilarious fight. No? Well, maybe I'll suggest that for next year.
Jack and I prepare with a little drink and college football.
Excitement mounting...
Here's a marching band.
And here's the king! I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley.
Greeting some of his subjects.
Cheerleaders to the royal court.
Boy Scouts of America (if you couldn't guess).
There's only one real king.
Californian flower power.
Our local Russian drama club. We're a very cosmopolitan community.
Children to be kept on a leash at all times.
But I don't want to! A slightly creepy command from the Walnut Festival site.
