Sunday, December 18, 2011

Merry Madness...

Every year, mid December, Portland, Maine has a party of sorts.  

They call it Merry Madness and it begins at one of the area hotels with wine (which you can purchase in a Merry Madness wine glass for 6 bucks) and free hor doerves, hor doreves , snacks sponsored by area restaurants.

Then the shops down in the Old Port remain open late and also have munchies and beverages to refill your Merry Madness glass that you carry around.

After attending this event for many years, Birdman and I have learned the protocol necessary to have a good time. First and foremost, GET THERE EARLY!

This year we were the 10th and 11th in line to the Ballroom. Got our pick of food.

One year we were about the 610th and 611th people in line. 10th and 11th is much better.

This year it started at the Portland Regency Hotel.

 This is the tree in their lobby.

As you can see, after the 10th and 11th people walked in, there were hundreds more.
All the shops were lit. All the shoppers were lit.

(Outside this beautifully lit window was this woman...lower right....looking down. You don't know this, but now you do, she was looking down at a little boy about 2 years old that was having a MAJOR temper tantrum in his stroller. Loud voices tend to echo in the streets of the Old Port and this young man made his presence known to most of the Merry Madnessers.  He was BAD!)

I know that Santa was watching, so this lad will probably get a lump of coal in his stocking.

But not to worry. 

He'll eventually learn that it's actually quite fun....strolling around downtown in the pitch dark, on a cold mid December night, a little wobbly on your feet, carrying your own sippy cup.

He'll learn.

9 comments:

Birdman said...

Peter, Elemka and I always enjoy this evening strolling the streets... gets the 'spirit of the season' up and about.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh my gosh, go earlier next time! ha ha

smiles, bee
xoxooxoxox

Unknown said...

I read about this; Mr. Eva doesn't walk well enough to go. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos!

brattcat said...

ah, so many happy memories stirred by these scenes...stirred, not shaken. thanks for taking us along, e. a toast to you and the mother of the tantrumy little boy.

Sharon Creech said...

Love your recap and your sense of humor - and great photos to capture the evening.

linda m said...

What a lovely tradition. Merry Christmas.

Balisha said...

just stopped by to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas...
Balisha

Traveling Bells said...

Wish we had been 12th and 13th! Looks like lots of fun. Cheers...

Lili said...

OMGosh your last paragraph had me laughing so hard....I got a visual on that one! Portland certainly is gorgeous and festive at Christmastime, that is so cool. ~Lili