The Connective Lens

Here Be Photos: CAFA Open House (21 October 2012)

On Sunday the Chelsea Area Fire Authority held its annual open house. It’s always a lot of fun for kids.

There was a talking ambulance that was pretty hilarious.

Kids got to try out the hose, too.

And you know what really made me jealous? They got to chop up a car!

Here Be Photos: CHS Color Blast (5 October 2012)

After the homecoming parade and before the football game, CHS students took to the high school parking lot to make a mess. But not just a mess — an OFFICIALLY-SANCTIONED mess! Don’t worry, it’s a good thing. If you’re familiar with the idea of a color run, the students essentially had a color run without the run. If you’re not familiar with it…CLICK THE DOGGONE LINK ALREADY, Lazy Jones.

Despite the less than ideal weather — cold and rainy, like a postcard from Seattle! — the students had fun. Or you might say they had a…blast. #horatiocaine

I wasn’t the only one taking pictures:

When the color was well-distributed, the students headed over to the football stadium.

One final note: I tried to stay out of the action, but apparently I didn’t try hard enough.

Here Be Photos: Lights & Lumberjacks (22 August 2012)

The Chelsea fair had lumberjack shows! When I arrived, two guys were running across logs.

After the demolition derby, I took in the midway at night.

Here Be Photos: TOTAL DESTRUCTION (21 August 2012)

One of the Chelsea Community Fair’s most popular events is its demolition derby. If you’re not familiar with demolition derby, here’s a quick summary: people crash cars into other cars over and over until only one can move. That’s the winner. It’s like a two-year-old playing with Hot Wheels, except it’s real life. Fortunately, the cars are loud enough that nobody can hear you in the stands making the same sound effects as that two-year-old does. NOT THAT I WOULD EVER DO THAT.

Anyway. On to the photos.

If you’re a radiator at a demolition derby, you should probably make sure your will is up to date. “I, Ray D. Ator, being of sound core and gaskets…”

Tires often don’t fare well, either, but in one case this year an entire WHEEL didn’t fare well.

In fact, it ended up being orphaned.

Not all the cars come apart quite like that, though.

That’s not to say the other drivers aren’t trying to make it happen!

And, you know, a flat tire really doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Not only can you still drive, but you can also spray mud at the crowd.

Some spectators want to record the action for later review:

Speaking of action…

All in all, it was a beautiful evening of TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

Here Be Photos: Kids on parade (21 August 2012)

The Chelsea Community Fair kicked off Tuesday with the kids parade. As usual, the parade was led by the Beach Middle School marching band.

Also as usual, the parade was well-attended.

I’m related to this one:

I’m also related to this one:

In the middle of the parade I spotted a group of kids wearing Geek the Library shirts. And not only were they wearing their shirts in the parade, but they also were accompanied by their geek photos on a display in a wagon!

I’m sure at some point I’ve talked your ear off about how Chelsea has embraced the geek campaign. That display is just another bit of proof.

When the parade arrived at the fairgrounds, the kids were invited to participate in a variety of fun events. One particularly lucrative event had the kids hunting for change in a pile of sawdust.

There were sack races, too.

And finally, there were three-legged races.

Come back next time to see photos of the highlights of the Chelsea fair: the demolition derby!