riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and River Festival
when: The month of August; the bulk of celebration will be in week 1, but there is a party and fireworks display on August 14th.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

river festival

In the days leading up to August 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The River Festival. This holiday is in celebration of the river and the life that it gives to the city, as well as the heat of summer and forming bonds with friends, family, and romantic partners. The celebrations are marked by a community-wide cleanup of the docks and beaches along the river - particularly important considering the recent acid rain - as well as beachfront cookouts and parties (both private and city sponsored) and beach sports tournaments happening on either open stretches of beach or in special clothing-optional beaches, all capped off with fireworks displays on the evenings of August 7th and 14th.

a celebration of the river and togetherness

Following the hedonism of Carnivale, it's time for something a little more low-key and relaxing. The River Festival happens every year in August, and is geared toward community building through cleaning up the beaches and docks along the river and then using all that freshly cleaned beach to gather on. During the first week of August, there are various lightly-themed government-sponsored beach cookouts and parties geared toward family, romantic dates, or casual all-ages get-togethers for meeting new friends; there are also a few more racy parties at clothing-optional beaches around the city. Many private residents also take this time to gather together friends and family, and have cookouts on the beach with all the typical trappings of the beach barbecue. There are also various casual sports tournaments sponsored by community centers, gyms, and sports teams in the city, featuring prizes ranging from notoriety to sports equipment to big bucks. Finally, there are two fireworks displays, one on August 7th and one on August 14th, with free food, and various live performers beforehand.

i. cleaning up

The holiday starts off on a note that is just a bit more sombre than the rest of the season, with the cleanup efforts following late July's strange fog and acid rain blending into the usual tradition of cleaning up beaches and docks along the river. The cleanup is a group effort, with every citizen who is physically able pitching in to comb the beaches, where they pick up fallen tree limbs, garbage, and anything else that's accumulated during the winter and spring, and then raking the beaches to make them clean and ready to use. The cleanup of the docks is similar, with residents sweeping and hosing them down where necessary. This year, there are a lot of repairs to be made to beachfront structures that might've been damaged by the acid rain, so if anyone has some carpentry or building skills, those would definitely come in handy.

This is meant to be a community building effort, so many businesses in the area, more well-to-do private citizens, and the government have pitched in funding to provide lunches, cold drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks to anyone who's helping out with the cleanup efforts. All in all, the cleanup has a very friendly, welcoming vibe.

ii. cookouts and parties

The main traditions of the River Festival involve cookouts and beach parties. On August 7th and August 14th, the government as well as various corporations and businesses in the city, will be providing funds for large beach gatherings. On these days, there will be booths set up offering wares and freebies from various businesses around the city that have helped fund the party, large swaths of cleared beach where residents can don a swimsuit and catch some rays or swim in the river, massive barbecue setups to provide partygoers with all the standard barbecue fare, beach sports tournaments, dancing and musical performances, and fireworks displays (see prompts below).

The holiday isn't just about these big parties, though - many residents arrange their own barbecues, cookouts, beach camping trips, beach bonfires, and other riverside gatherings and outings. Many riverfront businesses offer discounts on services such as canoe or kayak rentals to go out paddling on the river, jetski or motorboat rentals for tubing, wakeboarding, or waterskiing, or mounts to take romantic rides in the surf. Additionally, there is an adults-only section of the beach where any of these activities can be done in the nude in a clothing-optional setting, including the big city-sponsored parties.

iii. sportsball tournaments

Is your character good at playing a particular sport that could, conceivably, be played on a beach? Chances are that during the month of August, a tournament will be set up for them to participate in. The tournaments are pretty standard, generally sponsored by community centers, sports clubs and teams, gyms, and other organizations and businesses in the city, with various levels of specialization, and levels of skill or competitiveness. The prizes also vary, with everything from plain old bragging rights to sports equipment or passes to gyms and community centers, to large lump sums of cash money. Definitely worth it, for characters with a love for sport.

Oh, and a lot of these tournaments are happening on the adults-only clothing-optional beaches, for those grown-up sports fans who like a bit of an extra challenge.

iv. performances and fireworks

On August 7th and August 14th at the end of the large city-sponsored beach parties, there will be evening performances all along the beach. Not as extensive as the musical performances during Carnivale, there are two large-name performers per night, with various lesser-known groups performing at random off and on throughout the day and night. Areas of the beach are cleared for residents to watch and dance to the music, both on the regular and adults-only clothing-optional beaches (acts will switch off between the two areas so both areas get both performances).

Player-characters who are musical artists, DJs, or otherwise perform are free to set up shop around this party and panhandle or put on free performances for publicity.

After the sun goes down, boats will head out into the water carrying a variety of fireworks, and there will be a beautiful display of exploding color in the sky for residents to watch and enjoy. The fireworks are highly advanced, incorporating old-fashioned gunpowder as well as modern technology that result in really beautiful displays that can take the breath away!

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to meet new roommates, for the purpose of getting to know each other, or hit up one of the mod-posted prompts for each Communal Floor. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during the River Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: credit unknown; image ii: Albert Ramon Puig; image iii: Claudio Pilia; image iv: Alan Philips

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[ Jay moved on into the kitchen opening the fridge, pulling out an energy drink. He cracked it open before stepping closer and taking a cookie.]

Edward, Al or Jacob?

[ He spoke before taking a bit, swallowing after he chewed to add.]

Thanks, these are good.

...why do you think I'm here to see a boy? I don't even know all of those names.

*Other than literally everything about you. Everything about you suggests 'dumb girl who cares too much about romance and clothes.' Because, Lola, you are a girl that cares about romance, and clothes.*

I was hoping Yuffie was in, but apparently she's off doing something else. And than you, I baked them myself.

Honestly, becuase their the social people. Gender doesn't matter, I was going by observation.

[ He admitted, the detective part of his mind would always kick in when he watched people.]

Give her an hour, she always wanders in when I start cooking.

[ He was honestly shocked she didn't appear and snatch his drink can or the cookie from his hand. He didn't care as long as she didn't emss with his guns or his books.

He shifted his free hand over.]

My name's Jason.

Oh. Well, I only know Ed out of those names anyway.

*Although if she kept coming here to find and goof off with Yuffie, she'd probably meet some of the others on the floor eventually.*

Oh, can I help? I'm a pretty good cook. Since I'm waiting for her anyway.

*Lola smiled and shook his hand.*

Lola. Nice to meet you.

Al is Ed's brother, and Jacob I'm sure will pop around eventually. Theres more of us around I just get home at a weird time.

[ he had asked for his weird hours so he could sleep in the day, since he leaves for work stupid early.

He shook her hand in return, and grinned.]

Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets. [ Sorry Lola, he totally did that in a singsong tone.] But no, I'm not cooking tonight, I have somewhere I gotta be later.

Ohh, okay. Do the brothers look alike, it'll make things easier if I know who else I might run into coming here.

*She... knows that's a music reference, because no matter how often it gets done everyone feels they did it first. But she's so used to it all he gets is the slightest of eyerolls before she moves on.*

Okay, maybe some other time. I'll try not to keep you then. Work? Or a date?

*He might be a detective, but she's a gossip that just wants to know everything.*

Their both blond, they do look a bit alike. But their not twins. You can tell when you see them together.

[ He knew how easy it was to fake that, he and his brothers were in no way blood related, but did look alike. They all looked like they could belong to Bruce.

Jay always thought himself clever, even when it was annoying.]

Date, nothing serious of course, I just got bought at that bloody auction. 15 bucks, it does wonders for the ego let me tell you.

[ he walked back to the fridge grabbing two sodas and offering one her way.]

And sure any other time I'm game. I dont mind having help.

Good to know.

*She leaned on the counter. Listening to his comment on his dating situation.*

Oh yeah... I bought a few people at the auction. I should figure out what they want to do. But, someone did buy your time, that's something?

*She smiled and took the drink, anyone wanting time with her would be good. Unless they were old, creepy. Part of why she wasn't up for auction.*

I'm pretty sure it was one of my jackass brother's that signed me up. I only agreed afterwards because it was for charity. They wouldn't let me pay twenty to buy my own time back.

[ He grumbled a bit before he shrugged and sighed, taking a drink of his drink.]

I can't really bitch though.. I bought Ed for twenty as a joke... and no one out bid me. I dont think anyone went high on the bidding to be fair.

I figure I'll take Ed for a happy meal, he needs some happy in his life.

[ He'd have a better plan later...]

I'm kinda glad I'm an only child and none of my friends are here... That sounds awful being signed up without being asked.

*The only good thing about being on her own is nobody to do that to her.*

I'm sure Ed will... appreciate the gesture. In a sorta sullen moody way.

*She is not sure Ed will appreciate the gesture. But it'll still be a sullen moody way. It's very obvious she didn't believe he'd appreciate it, Lola has no poker face.*

Take it from someone whose been both the only child then the middle child, it's not as bad as it sounds. You don't realize how lonely you are until you have people around you. [ He shrugged before adding.] I was adopted, in my early teens.

Though, your making new friends here right?

I don't think Dad could really keep up with two kids, not on his own. He loves me, but I'm pretty self-sufficient.

*She doesn't ask about details cause... well, she figures that's the sort of thing that he'll talk about if he wants.*

Oh! Yeah, lots. I'm pretty good at being friendly.

That's how I was back before B took me in, even more so now that I'm the black sheep. I had to be self-sufficient to survive. My mom was an addict and my old man was always doing time for something or another, so I had to be man of the house as far back as I can remember.

[ It made adjusting to being a rich man's child really weird and lead to his rebellion in his mid-teens. But he didn't sound angry as he spoke it.]

I can see that much, you've been nothing but a darling these few minutes.

That's kinda like my ex. Except the getting adopted part. He was in a gang with his older brother cause his dad was gone and his mom was on drugs. He lived with his grandmother for the last year or so, while he worked on getting into college.

*Lola knew a lot of interesting people in her day. Her next romance after that... was a billionaire son of the mayor. So she's dated both sides of that divide.*

I know. Probably dad naming the cantina after me. So I was there all the time as a kid, he wanted me to always be nice to customers. It took me years to realize that having me around helped up the tips. I didn't really mind though.

[ Jason arched a brow before nodding, realizing maybe Lola did have somewhat of an idea of what to expect. Which did earn her brownie points. ]

Did he get into college?

[ He asked genuinely curious, before adding.] and do you plan to go as well?

[ He couldn't help but smile as she described things.]

It sounds like a nice life you had back home.

Um... I don't know, he hadn't heard back before I was here. He'll definitely get in before I do. His grades are totally better than mine.

*Lola considered a moment.*

Sorta? I know dad wants me to. And I do wanna keep learning new things, but most of the school stuff isn't really me. I try, but I'm not that smart. I've been thinking I could go to culinary school or try to get into a fashion design program. Something I actually can be good at.

*Lola wasn't really a futures person, she was all about the present. She did have to think about her future cause Shay and Frankie kept making her look into schools and programs.*

It was. I mean, except for the things everyone has to deal with. People seeing one thing when they look at you, and never seeing it quite right.

It's about the way that goes, us street kids are smarter than people give us credit for.

[ Jay responded as he moved to grab his boots and slipped them back on to start lacing them back up.]

Just remember, doing what you love as a job may suck the fun out of the love since it becomes a job then. Just a bit of advice.

*Lola thought about the advice for a few seconds, then decided there was an easy answer.*

If I cook professionally, I'll love fashion. And if I become a designer, I'll cook for love.

[ He finished tying his boots as he nodded, and pushed himself back up.]

That sounds like a smart plan. Okay, I better head off before I'm late. It was nice meeting you.

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introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

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