Shaun Lewis: the Man, the Myth, the Legend

Yes, today is Sunday.

This weekend in New Lebanon there was a celebration. It was not a celebration of lights nor a celebration of our independence as Americans. Unfortunately, the celebration in New Lebanon honored something no one has really cared about since 1891 — the noble stagecoach.

Every 2nd weekend in June for too many second weekends in June, New Lebanon has held its annual Stagecoach Days festivities. And every 2nd weekend in June for too many second weekends in June, people have showed up expecting something better than the year previous. As expected, those who show up on the 2nd weekend in June have been let down every second weekend in June.

By the way, Stagecoach Days is held annually on the 2nd weekend of June.

The weekend is usually complete with everything one would expect at any stereotypical carnival in the Midwest. There are the somber Shetland pony rides, the swindling charlatans at the games booths, the overbearing Rotary Club members, the “craft” tents,

Aside: OK. One final time: I, and this is for the record, do not consider anything made of popsicle sticks and glitter a “craft.” I consider it trash. Don’t try to sell it to me.

the despondent and joyless faces of parents drug through the crowds by their naïve children — nothing is spared. Stagecoach Days is hell on earth.

That is, it can be hell on earth. Only if you let it though.

I went to Stagecoach Days last night and I had fun. Yes, I said, “fun.” Not because the rides were good or because the entertainment was 5-star, but I had fun because I didn’t let myself fall into the trap of sulking over everything. A lot of people I know did that and they didn’t have fun. I, on the other hand, realized how beautifully stereotypical and corny the whole shebang was; there was a degree of angular resplendency in the sights and sounds. I took it all in, laughed on the inside and enjoyed most of it. Everything but the Kiss-a-Pig contest. That’s too Midwest even for my tastes.

I guess everything was beautifully horrible. I don’t think it was supposed to be, but it was. I enjoyed it though.

That was my Saturday though. There wasn’t too much of anything else I did in the week that was of note. I’m supposed to go to Columbus tomorrow with Jason. That’ll be fun. Really, that’s all for this entry.