Springtime had arrived on Balamak.The walks of a small town called Flat Rock were lined in dreamy pink blossoms, a sure sign that weather was growing steadily warmer. The frilly flowering trees were not only a lovely sight, but they were a reason to celebrate. Folks here held the belief that spring was a time of rebirth, a time to grow and look to the future with hope – quite a nice message all around.
It seemed that the area was currently bathed in shades of light shades of pink, nearly every shop and restaurant displayed a pastel cherry-colored ribbon to welcome the new season. This was also a bustling time of tourism for the small town; many come from worlds all around to get a chance to see the orchards in person. Visitors are also delighted to find a wide array of activities – merchants stand ready at small booths to sell a wide array of flower-themed products, artists proudly display their works of art, and the tasty aroma of street food fills the air. It is very clear…
The Festival of Blossoms had begun.
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Liuna stepped off the Silver Jedi transport that had just delivered the first passengers to Balamak. It was a world that she’d never seen before, but it was much like other argri-worlds that she had visited in the past. There were rolling fields that stretched out far into the distance, and all the farm smells that generally came along with that. But it was a very pleasant day, the temperature just right for an afternoon spent outdoors.
Glancing at a hand-painted sign, her gaze found the arrow that pointed towards Flat Rock Orchard Farm. Turning her head in that direction, she knew that she wanted to make a stop there before day’s end. Rumor had it that they made their own ciders and ale there, it sounded like an interesting prospect. And if she recalled correctly, there was some sort of activity planned there at involved dying your own shirts. Strange, but maybe it could prove to be fun.
“Here you go, ma’am.” A festival attendant held out a small cotton sachet.
“Um, thanks,” Liuna said, taking the small bag from the young man, watching as he made his way through the crowd to continue handing out freebies.
Giving the bag a quick sniff, she guessed it was potpourri – the scent was floral and a bit fruity. But as she took a peek at the tag tied to the sachet, she was surprised to find that it was a festival blend of green tea and edible blossoms. The Mirialan had never been much of a tea-drinker. She was left standing with the bag of tea in hand, a bit confused as to what she wanted to do next. Craning her neck, she spotted merchants up ahead that had a variety of teapots and other pottery.
Wrinkling her nose, she turned and started off towards the farm.
[OOC: SJO, allies, and fellow LS/Neutral factions are welcome to attend!]
Attractions:
Upon entering the festival, everyone receives a sample bag of Festival Blend Loose Leaf Tea.
There will be a brief commissioning ceremony to reveal the SJO's newest flagship, led by [member="Jyoti Nooran"] and [member="Valae Kitra"].
Festival grounds: The mainstage is all set for a performance from Hartlite! Stop by to get a chance to see [member="Helly Reyne"] in person! This is a great stop to view the whole festival -- there are also informational booths and a parade that takes place in the evening.
Marketplace: Balamak is home to a large community of makers. From pottery to painting, there’s a little bit of everything. Today, there are a number of potters here hoping to entice visitors into taking home a piece of their world -- handmade teapots and cups to celebrate spring. Handmade flower vases are also a popular item. There are also other handmade crafts -- sweaters, jewelry, and the like.
Street Food: While most street fairs are ripe with fried goods, the alleyway is full of sweet confections and savory hand-pies. Here you will find items like airy spun sugar, handmade candy, hand-churned ice cream, and delicate pastries decorated with all manner of floral goodness. For those that don’t want to indulge their sweet tooth, there are hand pies stuffed with hearty vegetables or packed with stewed meat.
Orchards: Visit the Flat Rock Orchard Farm for a chance to get up close to the cherry blossoms trees! The orchards are a very popular destination for taking ‘selfies.’ The farm also has a station set up for everyone to try dying their own shirts -- it’s all free, don’t worry. Inside the barn, they have a wine, ale, and cider tasting available for a small fee. Feel free to visit the farm animals while you’re here.
Mountain hike: The trail is open to visitors -- dawn until dusk. There are some spectacular scenic views of the valley, a great opportunity for photographers. Why not pack a picnic lunch and go for a walk? While they are some steep inclines in place, it’s not a terribly difficult hike.
There will be a brief commissioning ceremony to reveal the SJO's newest flagship, led by [member="Jyoti Nooran"] and [member="Valae Kitra"].
Festival grounds: The mainstage is all set for a performance from Hartlite! Stop by to get a chance to see [member="Helly Reyne"] in person! This is a great stop to view the whole festival -- there are also informational booths and a parade that takes place in the evening.
Marketplace: Balamak is home to a large community of makers. From pottery to painting, there’s a little bit of everything. Today, there are a number of potters here hoping to entice visitors into taking home a piece of their world -- handmade teapots and cups to celebrate spring. Handmade flower vases are also a popular item. There are also other handmade crafts -- sweaters, jewelry, and the like.
Street Food: While most street fairs are ripe with fried goods, the alleyway is full of sweet confections and savory hand-pies. Here you will find items like airy spun sugar, handmade candy, hand-churned ice cream, and delicate pastries decorated with all manner of floral goodness. For those that don’t want to indulge their sweet tooth, there are hand pies stuffed with hearty vegetables or packed with stewed meat.
Orchards: Visit the Flat Rock Orchard Farm for a chance to get up close to the cherry blossoms trees! The orchards are a very popular destination for taking ‘selfies.’ The farm also has a station set up for everyone to try dying their own shirts -- it’s all free, don’t worry. Inside the barn, they have a wine, ale, and cider tasting available for a small fee. Feel free to visit the farm animals while you’re here.
Mountain hike: The trail is open to visitors -- dawn until dusk. There are some spectacular scenic views of the valley, a great opportunity for photographers. Why not pack a picnic lunch and go for a walk? While they are some steep inclines in place, it’s not a terribly difficult hike.