Cars were parked on the shoulders for half a mile in both directions along Hwy 44, leading to the 32d Annual Shingletown Fun Crafts and Gourd Faire on Sat., Aug. 8.
It was a pleasant 75 degrees at that altitude, and everybody seemed to come out of the woods for the event. The Shingletown Fire Department offered their grounds for crafts, food, entertainment and an art show by Luke Lucas. Included was an unusually realistic replay of a Civil War skirmish in Pine forests not unlike those of the real battles.
As we walked through the entrance right off the highway, (about 11:30 a.m.) the sounds of heavy calibre rifle fire filled the air.
I headed right for the noise and excitement while my wife headed for the gourd booths. I arrived just as the battle was ending, and as both sides were gathering in front of the crowds to greet the guests. It’s amazing how a beard and an authentic uniform can instantly set you back a 150 years; you surely couldn’t tell what year it was by looking at these gents. They were genuine. And what was equally impressive about them were their rifles. Real 1850’s single-shot muzzle-loading rifles. Percussion brass caps and all. Where do they find this stuff? And being a WW II Army vet, I was definitely impressed with the condition of these rifles; clean, polished and well-cared for.
Being an obvious stranger in the Shingletown area, I was hesitant to speak to some of the locals, but each time I did, I was greeted with a warm smile and an enthusiastic response to my inquires. I had the feeling folks truly enjoyed this annual event. And it couldn’t be in a more appropriate place – among the tall Pines and open spaces of the forest.
I recommend the event to anyone who hasn’t been there. But you’ll have to wait another year before you get the next chance.
Robert Rock moved to Redding from Santa Rosa in 2000, soon found the local Writers Forum, and became its President for four years. Was a former Technical Writer for McDonnell Aircraft Corp., published environmental engineering articles as a professional engineer, public interest articles for newspapers and periodicals, and a book of short stories which covers the 1920s to 2001, including WW II. Is presently secretary of the local Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and assists students at the Good News Rescue Mission in earning their GEDs.
