Spring Festival

Rio has its Carnival and people go to New Orleans to drink and collect glass beads. Klaipeda is not to be left out of the celebration.  They offered the locals a weekend of food, fun and festivities. All of this took place two short blocks from my apartment, so of course I went to see what it was all about.  I found many stalls offering candy, sweets, alcoholic beverages, and cotton candy as well as a number of locally made crafts.  I stopped for some of the cotton candy.  I need one serving of this sweet confection each year and was not sure when I would have another chance.  Down the block was a group entertaining the crowds. The person in the middle was in drag and at this time was telling some story in Lithuania.  I wish I had been able to understand even the gist.  The crowd seemed to quite entertained.

Many of the stalls were selling dried flower arrangements in the form of various things associated with spring: chickens, eggs or flowers.





I bought a small half coconut shell, of all things, filled with dried flowers, mostly purple, to brighten my apartment in these closing days of winter.

I was also impressed with the wide variety of baskets.  I wanted get one to store my knitting, but since I have not bought yarn yet, thought it could wait until another time. By the way, the white figure in the middle of this photo is a dress form used to display a crocheted dress.


And of course there were tables and tables of amber.  Actually, I had not known that the area was known for this gem, but one can often find it washed up on the beach. These have been polished.  When you find it on the beach it is much rougher.



I am told that the Lithuanians are famous for their festivals and having  been to two of them, I can say that I am looking forward to seeing what they can do on a balmy summer weekend.