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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Heritage Days In Amish Country Pt 1


On Saturday we went to the tiny farming town
of Yoder Kansas where they were celebrating
'Heritage Days'.


This is a small rural town that has a large
Amish community
in the surrounding country side.

You can always tell an Amish
homestead by the lack 
of electrical lines
leading from the roadside
to the farm and there is 
usually a buggy or two
in sight.

You are pretty much guaranteed to
see a horse and buggy trotting
along the country roads
the closer you get to
the town.


Above is a typical sight when you drive
through Yoder.


On this day we were greeted by this
friendly fellow.

He was the traffic controller
as people came from all over to watch the
parade and catch the buggy races
and other fun events that were on that day.


Now how many towns have you been to
where the roads are scared up from
horse and buggies???

We arrived about half way through the
parade....for a small town they have a 
VERY large turnout as people enter
from all over the State and some even 
come from other States. 

Here are a few of the sights we enjoyed.


This lady was riding a huge mule!


I've always been very careful about taking
photo's of the Amish as I know many of 
them don't appreciate you photographing
their faces. 

There are two groups of Amish
in this area...one group is more
conservative than the other.
I was surprised by all the Amish who 
took part in the parade and other
activities where people 
were snapping pictures all over the place.
They didn't seem to mind at all.

Once I saw that I felt it was ok to snap away.


This little Amish girl enjoyed riding on 
grandpa's tractor in the parade.



See the tractor below?
It's MUCH larger than the photo shows.


Look at who is driving this monster!
And he was in the cab alone!




After the parade we headed over
to where the buggy races
were going to take place.


No these big guys weren't in the races!


The people were just starting to line
the road where the races were to take place.
Last year we stood over there in the sun
but this year it was 101 in the shade so we 
decided to sit under the trees on the bleachers.

See the house in the background?
It's an Amish home
and if you enlarge the photo 
you'll see a lot of the Amish gathering
to watch the races.

By the time things started you couldn't see 
the road at all!






Taking time to relax between races.


We headed home before the races 
were over but we went back later to
enjoy the music, kettle corn
and watch the fun.

This Amish couple was heading 
heading home too.


I think we're very lucky to live so close
to these friendly people.

Part 2 coming soon!

Maura :)










19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Maura, what beautiful photographs, I am fascinated with the Amish people and their lives. I can't wait to see more pictures. I am glad you had such a wonderful time, it looked like a perfect day. Warm regards, Ann

Janet said...

What a wonderful sight-though I did feel a bit sorry for the horses racing in such heat but then I guess they are use to working in it-looks a lovely way of life-free from some of every stresses we go through !!

Liesl said...

What fun! I was wondering about those draft horses and racing as the pic was opening up...A lovely day out for you and your family!

Sunray Gardens said...

Looks like a real fun day and very interesting.
Cher Sunray Gardens

GardenOfDaisies said...

It looks like you had a wonderful day! We visited that area and the quilt shops a few years ago.

Julie Harward said...

Love it! i have been around all of this too and it is just so awesome! ;D

Pondside said...

What a fun time! You are lucky to live so close to such peaceful folk.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Hi Maura, I live close to Lancaster county in PA, which is home to many Amish This bucolic community is worth a visit.

Your photography is always so good.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great photos, Maura. I live pretty close to an Amish community and I love to stop in at the homes that have signs advertising their goods for sale. Some will have fresh baked bread, others have quilts or baskets, etc. I haven't been in a while, this makes me want to take another little day trip there!

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos , we have lots of Amish and Mennonites here as well ,I love seeing them in their horse and buggies and in the fields with their work horses ! Looks like all had a great time ! Have a great day !

Bee Haven Bev said...

Looks like great fun! We have a large Amish population around our farm, too.

Deb said...

Hi Maura
I'm very familiar with the Amish from the Kitchener, Ontario area as my husband comes from there and is Amish. His parents were very modern compared to his grand-parents who still wore the typical clothing and head covering. Gary's family were very involved with their church and his mom has many close friends who were living the more typical Amish life but their home was no different than ours. His mom was an amazing cook and taught me how to make the best pumpkin pie around. All of his family were musical and sang at many Mennonite churches. I plan to sometime post some photos of Gary's grand-parents in their day. Their way of life is very interesting. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

Garter Mademoiselle said...

LOVED all your photos, the parade looked wonderful, I could almost hear the crowd's voices!! I have always been fascinated by the Amish way of life. Lancaster, PA was not far from where I lived in NJ and there is an Amish community there too, and I have always loved going there to see their lovely homesteads, the horse and buggies, and the school. I too am careful about photographing them, feeling that it is an intrusion in their private lives. But it is hard to not be totally fascinated by them and their way of life, which is right in the middle of modern technology. One can almost envy their quieter less hectic way of daily life. thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures, and I look forward to Part 2. ~Debby

Tara Dillard said...

Thank you for thinking to post these pics.

I must find something similar in Georgia this year. Life is too short not to !!

NEED to get out of the city, yet need the city for my career.

LANA said...

Great photos! We visited Lancaster, Pa. a few years back. What beautiful, natural country. The Amish life is fascinating, wish we all could live that way - sometimes progress is not all that progressive. - Lana

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Love it. We have a near-by Amish community, and oh my can they bake! The local wal-mart in the community where they live has a special parking area made just for their horses and buggies. It is neat.

Mecky said...

It looks like you had a great time. I have wanted to go for a few years but haven't yet. Maybe next year!

AnneMarie said...

What a grand day out! It seems such a simpler, slower pace of life that the Amish lead, we could probably do with some of that! Would love to visit an Amish community one day. Lovely post! Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!! xx

Neesie said...

It was a great insight into a fun day. I have never visited an Amish community so a peek at their lifestyle was fascinating.
As always Maura, your photos are brilliant. The last one of the buggy heading home is my favourite.
I just loved the post and all the comments too. Now I'm eagerly awaiting Part 2 ;D

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