Great Bend, ND has a population of 59 people but last weekend they had a celebration that swelled the population to at least four times that number. I love small towns so I decided to accept an invite to set up my white and yellow striped canopy tent and market my five books.
Since I had never explored the little North Dakota town before I took a few minutes to drive around and sight see before setting up. It only took a few minutes to complete that task because as I mentioned earlier Great Bend is a small town. 🙂 One Lutheran church, a baseball diamond, meat locker plant, fire hall, one closed restaurant, a storage shed and several dozen houses pretty much made up the town.
I no more than got my canopy tent set up and the books displayed when a light sprinkle of rain turned into a downpour. Since I was set up next to the fire hall the runoff from the roof was landing on the top of my canopy tent along with the deluge of rain. Lisa, one of the celebration organizers, urged me to move into the fire hall and it didn’t take much convincing. I scurried into the large community room in the fire hall and set things up for the second time that morning.
Much of my time marketing my books is spent “people watching” as I have never been fortunate to have continual lines forming in front of my booth waiting to examine my books. I’ve had to learn patience as a book marketer! Well my new location was perfect for people watching. The pancake/sausage breakfast was just finishing up so I watched folks scurrying around gathering up dirty plates, glasses and utensils. Two bikes were being given away later in the day and the signup box was right next to my booth. I smiled as I watched excited kids painstakingly printing their names on slips of paper. Each child was certain that they would be the lucky winner.
Later in the day a magician entertained us with moves that I can’t begin to explain. Guests from the Chahinkapa Zoo shared zoo animals and information with the audience. An accordion player entertained folks lounging on benches in the shade. And I took it all in as I people watched!
One o’clock arrived and it was time for the big parade! I suspected something when small children began to appear carrying plastic ice cream pails. The street was lined with children. Parents were close by prepared to grab a child that ventured too far out in the street chasing down candy being tossed from parade vehicles.
The parade was a great success in fact so successful that it actually passed down the main street twice. That way old folks like myself would be sure not to miss a thing! Not to mention the candy haul made by the kids would also double. They liked that.
So that’s how I spent my Saturday, “people watching” in downtown Great Bend. No, the lines didn’t form in front of my ‘book store’ booth but I did manage to leave a few of my books in some friendly hands. I hope they enjoy them.
Until next time…..
