Have you ever had a day where you realized you found something that brought you joy? Not something small and not a little joy, big monumental joy. I’m really hoping all of you are saying, yes! If not, I highly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. I think that is where your puddle of joy is living.
To say the May festival was a huge success would be significantly underselling it. It was also the first festival where its integrity was seriously called into question. A huge work event came up for the same day and it was one that was difficult to turn down. I am really happy I did. The entire experience felt like such a win for work-life balance.
May’s festival was called “Beasts of the Bronx” because we went to the Bronx Zoo! It was the first festival with a bigger group. We went with my entire family.
The dress code was “Go Wild!”
Dress as your favorite animal: prints, faux fur, tails, ears, or full-on costumes
Bonus points for face paint, animal makeup, or creative props
Optional: coordinate in pairs or groups as “animal clans”
They came to play. For pairs, we had 2 cats and 2 cheetahs with face paint! For individuals we had a zookeeper (inventive), a koala, a wolf, and woodland creatures (my nephew). I really wish I did face paint, but because I started the day debating going to a work event, I kept my face clean. I am so impressed 2 of our herd went above and beyond!
We’re dressed & ready to go
Back in April, I redesigned my festival rules and part of that was adding opening and closing rituals. Now here is the big reveal: we actually did the new rituals! Before we left for the zoo, we had our opening ceremony. I wanted to do it before the long drive so the entire drive could be in the festival spirit. It worked! Everyone joined in and was smiling by the end. Nothing like a little silliness to set the mood.
We used to go to the Bronx Zoo every year, so picking it as our first family festival spot was a no-brainer. Not only were we going back after so long, but it was my nephew, my husband & my sisters’ boyfriend’s first time at the Bronx Zoo! A big milestone in my family. As we drove up, I started to worry that I had oversold it. Don’t worry, I didn’t. Still as magical as I remembered.
The day continued as any zoo adventure in my family would. Everyone picked their must-see animal. We made a plan and we were off! Now, I won’t bore you with the details of exploring a zoo; however, if you haven’t been to this one – you’re really missing out. Check out this article for my rant about the San Diego Zoo. Spoiler alert: I was not a fan.
I wanted this day to feel extraordinarily special. We had our opening ceremony and our outfits, but for my family, I wanted to go above & beyond. So that is exactly what I did. I planned our lunches and packed everyone bento boxes! Coordinating and filling them and figuring out a menu that would make everyone happy took some well-placed effort. As the day was growing closer, I realized I had nothing to PUT the lunches in and didn’t figure out how we’d carry them all. Thankfully, I live near several stores and found a cheap set of 10 that we now all use for snacks.
This was my first time trying to optimize a menu for flavors and items and to fill people up, but also to use ingredients in a few ways. You see, each person had the option from the below refined palate to pick from:
1. Lion’s Feast (Carnivore-Inspired)
Buffalo chicken sliders (2)
Sharp cheddar cubes
2. Elephant’s Garden (Herbivore-Inspired)
Hummus and pita chips
Apple slices with peanut butter cup
Veggie sticks (cucumber, carrots, peppers)
3. Monkey Munch (Omnivore-Inspired)
Buffalo chicken slider (1)
Apple slices with peanut butter cup
Shared Across All Three Boxes:
Small whole pickles
Assorted fruit
Animal-shaped cookie
Small piece of chocolate
Everyone picked exactly the box I thought they would!
After we searched and scouted several options, we found a table big enough for all of us and enjoyed. The meal went better than I could’ve planned, with some extra snacks to spare. The only complaint I could give for the day, and it would be so small, is that we didn’t see anywhere selling funnel cake. But come on, if that is the only complaint, I am very lucky.
As we were winding down, we decided to take a different path than normal back to the car. An important piece to this story is that Sam’s animal was the Rhinoceros. Yes, he technically saw one on the monorail (a guided train ride),but it’s not the same as being able to sit and pause and watch. We were all happily walking when I saw from a distance, another Rhinoceros. On a quiet path that most people never take, my family stood there for a few minutes and watched this magnificent creature move about its habitat. We were lucky that it was in fact doing something.
It was one of those days that I look back on and it doesn’t feel real: a scene out of a movie.
For those of you who want closure, Sam & I did the closing ceremony in the parking lot of the zoo. We experienced the festival to its fullest. And the memories will pay dividends for our entire lifetime.
By now, some of you may have noticed that I am posting this VERY late. It’s just that I couldn’t find the words. (Yes for anyone who knows me, I know you’re thinking that’s rare…) This festival is the first one that made me feel like “I did it”. I created a magic moment that we will all remember. Anyone can go to the zoo. Not everyone will make a festival out of it.
*I understand some people have complicated opinions about zoos. If that is what you take away from this post, you really missed the point.
Challenge: Take something that you’ve done several times and turn it into a festival. You won’t be sorry.
