#chittenango ny

[streetlightdiaries]

Somewhere over the I-90

Excitement is contagious. 

I walk down a quiet country road. The predictable crunching of gravel under my sneakers soothes me as I go; I’m a little nervous. I’m a little nervous about a great many things. 

As the wind picks up, distant sounds are carried into my ears. I hear a traffic whistle, children laughing, bagpipes, and the low idle of a large engine. I’m unsure of what I’m walking into, but I’m out of the woods now. A man on a bicycle winks at me as he rides by. Suddenly, a rusty truck pulls out of a driveway, sending a hot wave of ominous dust spiraling toward me. I gasp—It’s a twister! 

Chittenango, New York is holding its annual Oz-stravaganza this weekend in honor of its most famous citizen, L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. As its newest citizen, I figured I’d better have a look around. 

The dust settles and I turn the corner to be confronted by a brilliant burst of technicolor. Pink tulle drags along the pavement, glistening red shoes click-clack across the street. Law enforcement directs as rainbow-themed floats get into position and spectators look for a spot to watch. I move up Genessee Street, crossing over onto its yellow-bricked sidewalk before finding my own place. The parade begins at 2pm. 

I take note of passerby’s as I lean against a store front. All degrees of participation are present here, from League-sanctioned bonnets to green-faced goths, tinfoil-wrapped funnel hats and fur vests with detachable wings and tails. I fall in love with a floor-length ball gown, but really, anything gingham will do. It’s sort of hard to tell who is in before-character costume and who just happens to be wearing their overalls from this morning’s farm work, but it doesn’t matter, because everyone is just so excited.    

As the march commences, the fire engine, garbage truck, and snow plow are so clean and shiny that I involuntarily start to sing “and a couple of tra-la-las” under my breath. Bubbles glide out from school bus windows and a former MGM child munchkin giggles as if no time has passed.  

“And you, and you, and you, and you were there” 

Anyone who has ever done anything that could possibly relate to Oz is in this parade; authors, historians, people who saw the movie and happened to have liked it. Chittenango is excited. They are proud. They are celebrating and warmly welcome you to join in with them. I hardly recognize myself as I run to catch a small toy thrown from a parade float. I start to sing along to the VFW’s brass band, and I blush when the Scarecrow waves at me. What a Hunk.

A troupe of belly dancers in the height of their crone era undulate up the street, triggering fight-or-flight responses with their spot-on Wicked Witch cackles. They are casually followed by the community church group. The grand marshal holds a rainbow-colored umbrella to keep the sun off him as he rides in the back of a ruby-red convertible, and when the third grade class sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” more than a few eyes prove cowardly. 

We all follow the end of the parade into the town park, where the fair has been set up since last night. Artisan vendors, kettle corn trucks, and Professor Marvel’s traveling wagon sit adjacent to traditional fair rides. The line for face painting stretches well beyond the fried Oreo stand, and the balloon man twists up terriers as quickly as he can. I notice a booth running a sale on red-and-white striped compression socks. 

There is an unparalleled confidence at a rural fair, and I find any worry over embarrassing myself to be quite irrelevant since these people are much too humble, too kind, and too generous to notice as I wander around alone as if I’ve just run away. There are so many genres of people here I couldn’t possibly not fit in. I see every age, every ethnicity, and every economic class mingling together where Dunkin Donuts smartly hands out free munchkins and I think—it’s small-town eccentricities that make these corners of the world more imaginative than any city I’ve ever been too. I am so glad I’ve returned. There really is no place like my home. 

I find my way to the historical landmark sign to sit down amongst the poppies. As the crowd dissipates, dads start to loot through their kids’ goody bags. The scarecrows scratch at their collars and the witches head to the Ten Pin. I pick up a cherry Dum Dum off the street and wonder what dues the Lollypop Guild has to pay. If I had a crystal ball, I’d say we’re all going to be just fine.  

Your old pal,

Terica

[calochortus]

201/365 Chittenango Falls by Trillian Via Flickr: No tripod, just a hat, a rock, and my camera's timer.

[stumbleimg]

A rainy day at Chittenango Falls, NY [OC] [2900x2020]

[integrativecaregroup]

Integrative Medicine in Chittenango, NY, redefines healthcare by merging conventional medical practices with complementary therapies to offer a holistic approach to wellness.

[eddystshirts]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 90s Vintage The Wizard Oz Chittenango NY T Shirt Single Stitch Graphic Tee XXL.

[naturecopy]

🔥Chittenango Falls, Chittenango, NY

[familyadventuresinnewyorkstate]

💦𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙁𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙎 Chittenango Falls is a seriously impressive waterfall with multiple viewing areas. The waterfall is 167 feet tall and is comprised of a series of drops to form an awe-inspiring view from the bottom. Learn more about visiting by clicking the link: https://familyadventuresinnewyorkstate.com/chittenango-falls-state-park-cazenovia-new-york/ #chittenangofalls #chasingwaterfalls #waterfall #waterfalls #cny #upstateny #hikingadventures #autumn #autumninnewyork #newyorkstateparks #explorenewyork #newyorkstate #iloveny #i❤️ny #roadtrip #familytime #explore #getoutdoors #outdooradventures (at Chittenango Falls State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLnDS5Ova1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[atolosiiii]

I was [tired] in the darkness, cooled by randomness, hoping for a beach in the rain, seeking for unity from a busy bee, [An Aside- I lived in Fayetteville, NY and we would drive out Chittenango. We would call it Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s claim to fame? L. Frank Baum, so there was a yellow brick road through that town too] On a rain day, thinkin of the beach—-one day, one love https://www.instagram.com/p/CeyPu_BLA68/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[entertainmentnerdly]

Chittenango Falls State Park, NY 4032x3024. (OC) via /r/EarthPorn https://ift.tt/34VSPko

[pkphotoblr]

[joyfullyglitterydelusion]

Chittenango Falls, Upstate NY🧡

[jayboy1960]

Chittenango Falls, NY, just outside of Syracuse. Autumn of 1981.

[simple-happiness-channel]

Chittenango Falls, NY #chittenangofalls #beautifulplaces

[integrativecaregroup]

Integrative Medicine in Chittenango, NY, redefines healthcare by merging conventional medical practices with complementary therapies to offer a holistic approach to wellness.

[eddystshirts]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 90s Vintage The Wizard Oz Chittenango NY T Shirt Single Stitch Graphic Tee 2XL.

[philosibies]

Chittenango Falls State Park, NY 4032x3024. (OC) via /r/EarthPorn https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/nuacxc/chittenango_falls_state_park_ny_4032x3024_oc/?utm_source=ifttt