Tomato Fest: Wrapping up the Battle

More spraying water and tomatos flying.  See why that protection was a good idea!

People really were laughing and having a great time!  And someone in white shorts was busy looking for more ammo!

The last of the battle.  ALMOST everyone survived.  I should point out that I was NOT in the caged area.  But, I was covered in tomato shrapnel. 

Tomato Fest: The Battle Continues

The battle was scheduled to last an hour.  But, ammunition was running low pretty quickly.

The water helped keep things cool and very messy!

You can see tomatoes (yup, that is still the correct spelling!) flying through the air.

Ahhh..the hoses are spraying elsewhere now!

Tomato Fest: The Battle Begins

This reminds me a bit of The Hunger Games.  At the start, you race for the Cornucopia for weapons and supplies!

Take out the person nearest you!

Re-load!

Ohhh..the horror!!!

Tomato Fest: The Weapons of the Day

The tomatos had been laying in the hot sun for several hours.

Time to spray them down and make sure they are nice and wet..and soggy

The water was very nice and cool on a very warm day.

And, it begins!

Tomato Fest 8: A Few More Friends

This person was looking MUCH too clean cut just before the throwing was to begin!

These two were having a great time dancing to the bands.

And, this group of guys were about to be covered in rotten tomatoes!  I thought they were not dressed appropriately for what was about to happen!  (By the way, I had to look up the plural spelling of tomato.  Tomatoes IS (or should that be "are") correct!  I didn't want to go all Dan Quayle on ya!)

I am not sure of the significance of the half painted face.  But, I liked it!  Ketchup perhaps?   This distance from the subject and under some shade seems to be a sweet spot for this lens.  I think the photo is very good.  

This was the last group of people to stop and ask me to take their photos. 

I believe the gentleman below was one of the organizers.  He and the young lady were on the stage with the bands.  I would like have liked to chat with him!

Bikers are People, too!

I had a chance to visit the Bearded Lady and Freaks Motorcycle show a few weeks ago.  These two gentlemen were the first photos I took that day.  They were just revving up to go for a ride.  So, I didn't get their names.   But, I liked the look. 

If my notes are correct (and sometimes the iPhone auto-corrects to something that isn't correct!), this is Michael.

And Frank.

Th guy below was walking around with a few friends.  What caught my attention first was his look.  It was very warm and I was thinking a black leather hat had to be uncomfortable!  Then I also noticed he was opening carrying a hand gun. This is perfectly legal in Minnesota.  So, I asked to take his photo.

Meet Mark!

I commented to him after I took the photo that I liked seeing him open carrying.  While legal, you don't see a lot of people doing it.  

My thanks to you all!

City Garden in St. Louis

Changing the pace a bit.  I needed a break from  theTomato Fest photos.  I know, you may be anxiously waiting every morning to see if the tomato battle has begun.  I will return to it shortly...I promise!

I had reason to be in St. Louis recently for the Little J's first birthday.  But, Big J and I went to City Garden where he could play in the water.  It was about 100 that day. 

Meet the Big J!

He is having some fun and keeping cool!

One of the heads was broken so they shut the water off for a bit while a repairman was called.  This woman was walking about and I liked her reflection in the fountain area.

Meet Sue!  

She was with "Paw Paw" and their grandson Max. 

Thanks Sue!  You found a great place to cool off!

Tomato Fest 7: Another Band and More Dancing!

Another band started about 5:00 PM and this one had squirt guns to help cool the crowd!

Dancers and singers!

Everyone wanted to get squirted with the cool water.  It was very warm in the sun!

Even Jason and his twin brother were there.  Well, I think that's Jason.  I never got into the horror/slash movies.

Tomato Fest 6: More Friends!

This group of lovely ladies approached me and asked me to take their photograph.  I was a little surprised when they turned around.  But, then I saw they had targets on their shirts.  They wanted everyone to see the targets!

A lovely group of friends!

And, another lovely group of friends. 

Tomato Fest 6: Safety First

Safety was a bit of a concern.  I had to sign a waiver saying if I died I wouldn't sue anyone.  Well, something like that.

People were clearly coming to this event prepared.  And if you didn't think ahead, this lovely young lady would be willing to sell you protection!

These guys came prepared. 

Ahhh...I am not certain those glasses meet the safety criteria!

OK...He was the first guy I saw wearing a chest protector.  Good thinking!

Thanks ALL!