Reviews
One Person's Gathering on the Green Experience
When I first stepped foot off the shuttle bus at Gathering on the Green, I felt like I was walking into a magical world of white tents with colorful flags flying on top and people all over having fun, talking, smiling, laughing, and enjoying the ambiance of the whole day. Two friendly young volunteers wearing their Gathering on the Green T-shirts smiled and greeted us saying, “Welcome to Gathering on the Green.” As we continued down the path toward the main gazebo we passed youngsters giggling and playing as they participated in all the children’s activities. There were new and antique cars displayed with people checking out all the features, performers in costumes taking pictures with the crowd, cuddly humane society animals hoping to be rescued by adoring families and we heard hearing music everywhere.
Then we crossed the walkway bridge between the ponds and saw the thousands of sparkling white chairs followed by black and then tan ones all waiting to be occupied when the concert begins. In the meantime, people were having fun. Beyond the seating area were picnics of all kinds—from folks on blankets surrounded by coolers and simple picnic fare to guests feasting around fabulous spreads on tables with tablecloths, flowers and candelabra. The lawn picnickers were rimmed by a row of small white lawn tents rented by event goers to throw their own concert get-togethers, whether big or small. There was something for everyone. We continued on to the food court where we could choose from a number of vendors serving selections including fresh cheese, wraps, salads, hot dogs, hamburgers, frozen custard and more. We didn’t have to worry about lugging in heavy bottles or cans of beverages, because their wine tent served a selection of nice wines by the bottle or glass as well as beer on draught or by the can. Carrying our food and beverage selections to the large eating tent, we found our own table and stayed to listen to the jazz group performing in front of us.
Finally it was time to go to our seats. Plenty of ushers and volunteers filled the aisles to direct us to where we were to sit. Then the concert began. What a fun concert! I thought it might be stuffy, but I loved every minute of it--a wonderful variety of music, song and dance. It was a beautiful concert in an outdoor, casual setting with the sun setting just past the gazebo. As the program reached the finale, the fireworks began. But they weren’t just any fireworks; they too were choreographed to music. As the program finally came to an end, it seemed like no one wanted to leave. People slowly left and walked back to the exit where there was a jazz band playing to send us on our way and I thought, “I’ll be back next year.”
When I first stepped foot off the shuttle bus at Gathering on the Green, I felt like I was walking into a magical world of white tents with colorful flags flying on top and people all over having fun, talking, smiling, laughing, and enjoying the ambiance of the whole day. Two friendly young volunteers wearing their Gathering on the Green T-shirts smiled and greeted us saying, “Welcome to Gathering on the Green.” As we continued down the path toward the main gazebo we passed youngsters giggling and playing as they participated in all the children’s activities. There were new and antique cars displayed with people checking out all the features, performers in costumes taking pictures with the crowd, cuddly humane society animals hoping to be rescued by adoring families and we heard hearing music everywhere.
Then we crossed the walkway bridge between the ponds and saw the thousands of sparkling white chairs followed by black and then tan ones all waiting to be occupied when the concert begins. In the meantime, people were having fun. Beyond the seating area were picnics of all kinds—from folks on blankets surrounded by coolers and simple picnic fare to guests feasting around fabulous spreads on tables with tablecloths, flowers and candelabra. The lawn picnickers were rimmed by a row of small white lawn tents rented by event goers to throw their own concert get-togethers, whether big or small. There was something for everyone. We continued on to the food court where we could choose from a number of vendors serving selections including fresh cheese, wraps, salads, hot dogs, hamburgers, frozen custard and more. We didn’t have to worry about lugging in heavy bottles or cans of beverages, because their wine tent served a selection of nice wines by the bottle or glass as well as beer on draught or by the can. Carrying our food and beverage selections to the large eating tent, we found our own table and stayed to listen to the jazz group performing in front of us.
Finally it was time to go to our seats. Plenty of ushers and volunteers filled the aisles to direct us to where we were to sit. Then the concert began. What a fun concert! I thought it might be stuffy, but I loved every minute of it--a wonderful variety of music, song and dance. It was a beautiful concert in an outdoor, casual setting with the sun setting just past the gazebo. As the program reached the finale, the fireworks began. But they weren’t just any fireworks; they too were choreographed to music. As the program finally came to an end, it seemed like no one wanted to leave. People slowly left and walked back to the exit where there was a jazz band playing to send us on our way and I thought, “I’ll be back next year.”