Magic in the Park

Summer started Monday night. Well, maybe not according to the calendar or the weather, but definitely according to me! And yet again, I was reminded of why I love small town life.
In our little podunck town on the Columbia River, we have a beautiful riverside park, marina and campsite. In that park is a covered pavilion. On Monday nights throughout the summer, we have entertainment in that pavilion. We call the program, “Music in the Park”. Townspeople bring chairs, drinks, food, pets and children with them for an hour of magic.
The music is not always the best. The weather is not always cooperative. But the magic…….yes, the magic is there every time. Let me try to share the magic.
It begins with people carefully selecting the best place for them to place their chairs. Some choose to sit near friends, some choose the shade while others choose the sun. Some seek protection from the wind while others brave the wind to watch the glorious fiery sunset over a choppy Columbia River. Those with children position themselves to be able to watch both the playground and stage. Those with dogs sit in the outskirts.
Everyone is waving and calling out to each other. Our daily grind means nothing here. We have chosen to leave it all behind as we participate in this important rite of summer. This year has brought an ice cream vendor to the parking lot. Although we are freezing, he is kept very busy.
The welcome, the thank you for coming and the entertainer introduction is made. The crowd applauds. The music begins. This night brings a vocalist with his computer accompaniment. He sings some country, some Sinatra, some Elvis and some Ronnie Milsap. He’s okay.
A few couples get up to dance. They are over fifty. Someone tells the singer about a birthday. We all join in to sing it. The close to sixty year old birthday girl is on the dance floor. She is giggling, blushing and hiding her face on her husband’s shoulder. The magic has taken hold- she looks and feels like a fifteen year old girl!
More magic- a group of campers from Quebec are meandering around taking pictures excitedly. They join the dancers. It is obvious they are having the time of their life. Many dancing now are in their seventies and eighties but it’s Elvis! They look like teenagers in love as they bebop around. We are keeping rhythm with our claps.
A young man of eighty-three sets his wife in her chair and turns to one of our century old citizens. Is he asking her to dance? Can’t tell…..oh, yes, he is……she is getting up…..they are slow dancing to a love song. It’s the magic again. All of us are watching, some with smiles, some with tears. The editor of our small monthly paper hurries over to take pictures. There is a feeling of intimacy as we all share this moment and memory.
And suddenly, it is over. The magic dissipates as we again become people of different ages, cultures, languages, economic backgrounds, etc. We say our good-byes with reluctance and head home already looking forward to the next week and it’s magic. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?