German Park Picnic

continued

Now the polka band players are hiccuping in the background. I leave my new acquaintances to their memories and go to the stage. The traditional performance of the slap dancers was earlier, and now the huge wooden dance floor is whirling with couples. There are adults dancing with children, skipping, turning. Laughing. A big, sunburned man comes up and hands me a beer, as if we're old pals. "They need to do this every weekend," he tells his friend. "Yeah," the friend agrees. "I rather be here than anywhere else."

The summer's final German Park Picnic is Saturday, August 27.

[Review published August 2005]