Last weekend, Oatland Island (one of our favorite kid-friendly locales) hosted their annual Cane Grinding Festival. Nana and Granddaddy were in town and joined Camille and me for the event. After Camille showed them her favorite barn animals, we hopped on a trailer for a hayride to their “homestead” exhibit.

The exhibit area features a series of old pioneer-era homes and outbuildings. It’s like stepping onto the set of Little House on the Prairie, and I think it’s great that places like this exist so close to our home. I will enjoy talking to Camille about it when she’s old enough to understand that yes, indeed, a family of twelve lived in that little cabin that is the size of our living room.

During the festival, horses are used to turn the gears to grind sugar cane. Then the syrup is boiled in nearby vats, and you can taste the cane juice and sample some syrup. Which, of course, we did!

We also listened to live music …

… and Granddaddy couldn’t resist a dance with his littlest partner.

Camille also sweet-talked her Nana into buying her this plastic alligator. It didn’t have anything to do with the theme of the festival, but don’t tell her that. She loves her Alli!