InFullBloom Community Festival
A very nice stranger taught me how to make a paper speed boat and another man explained to me how I should make an origami lantern out of a plastic folder. I nearly od’ on vegan cupcakes and all my paper bowties were sold out! InFullBloom has been the best community event I’ve been to, by far. There was so many people; at one point, I couldn’t see the tables that were set up across mine. My table was set up conveniently right next to the long paper crane chain I hung from two trees. I taught people how to make cranes and we added them to the chain. I’m really amazed at the patience these people had. Learning how to fold a crane in a big crowd of people with minimal guidance (because I had to multitask between selling stuff and giving instructions) can be a difficult thing, not to mention the wind was insane and kept blowing papers away. I was really happy that people were interested in finding out what my things were, since they weren’t obvious at first sight. They first caught a glimpse of the colorful paper flowers and then looked at the wallets. Most people thought it was pretty cool when I showed them the collapsible change pocket. The puzzles were a success too! People didn’t make the connection at first between the pieces and the finished models I had for show, and when they realized that you can make an octahedron out of paper pieces they were really impressed! I was really blown away by the whole set up for InFullBloom. It was all put together Sunday morning and it looked fantastic! There was a perfect grassy area for yoga workshops and art creations, and a tent where people made dream catchers that I wish I had had time for. Fortunately the stage was in sight from my table and I got to see amazing music performances by The Caravan, Katherine langille, Liars on Fire, Lindsay Duncan & DJ Caleb! Even though I couldn’t make it to most of the workshops and tables, I was able to quickly pack my things around 4pm and go to the last meditation instructions workshop given by Julia Sable and the people from the new North End Shambhala Centre. It was oddly relaxing to sit on the grass and just breathe for a few minutes with so much music, noise and people around. The organizers of InFullBloom did an amazing job! I’ve been getting non- stop Facebook notifications of people congratulating them on the event’s wall and saying what a good time they had! I hope this is just the beginning of many more amazing community projects! To learn more about the Imagine Bloomfield movement that made this happen visit their website: http://imaginebloomfield.ca/
Pictures by: Mike Wheaton (first two) and Esteban Villasis (the rest)
For more pictures check out the Facebook wall for the event (There's some really good ones!) : http://www.facebook.com/events/406819149351356/421486027884668/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity