|
| |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photography provided by (clockwise) ©iStockphoto.com/manuel velasco, ©iStockphoto.com/Steve Debenport, ©iStockphoto.com/Paz Ruiz Luque, ©iStockphoto.com/David Gunn.
| |
|
|
|
|
Interested in a less juvenile venue? Soak in the romance of a day at the races.
There is plenty of fanfare at organized races such as the Kentucky Derby, so
find a similar event, sip a mint julep, and take in the summer scene of
gentlemen in suspenders and ladies in hats.
At-Home Recreation If you prefer to spend the days of summer at your home or family retreat,
consider participating in some old-fashioned recreational sports. Although most
of these activities are still popular today, they all have historical roots, so
don’t be ashamed to don an inspired costume when playing. Pick up a mallet and engage in a round of croquet with your
closest friends. A freshly mowed lawn is the best playing field for all
versions of the game, including the most common stateside version, nine-wicket
croquet. Horseshoes is an alternative show of strength and aim. Sandpits are
integral for the game, so if you don’t have a set-up at home, take your horseshoes to a local park to play. In the
mood for some friendly competition? Stare down your opponent over a net with
badminton or table tennis. In the end, everyone wins with a summer of fun and
nods to nostalgia.
Written by Maresa Giovannini.
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car Culture Nothing says classic Americana quite like a hot rod. Painted flames on the side?
Even better. North America’s obsession with car craftsmanship and design blossomed in the 1950s and ’60s and paved the way for the popularity of many auto-related activities. Today,
if you admire the tail fins on a 1956 Chevy Bel-Air or are simply looking for
an excuse to wear your leather jacket or poodle skirt, attend a local
cruise-in. With countless classic cars to admire and doo-wop music to dance to,
a cruise-in provides innocent family fun. Check out
Old Cars Weekly for a schedule of events across the country.
Whether your car is classic or modern, take it to your local drive-in movie
theater. The industry was once booming, but now there are only a few hundred
theaters still in operation across the United States. For a fraction of the
price of an indoor theater, your family can catch a double feature under the
stars with a playground, snack bar, and that iconic dancing hot dog. Find out
whether there is still a theater in your area via the numerous websites
dedicated to keeping moviegoers up-to-date and paying homage to those theaters
that have gone “dark.”
Good Eats The presence of cars in summertime retro activities doesn’t stop at the drive-in theater. Cruise down the road to a drive-in restaurant. A
precursor to the drive-thru, these restaurants made a true event out of eating
in your car. Although the wait staff has likely ditched the showy roller skates
as captured in films such as American Graffiti, drive-ins still exist! Look for authentic versions of these burger joints such
as A&W Restaurants, Mel’s Drive-In, and many independent roadside stops. If you prefer to eat inside and
love the allure of the jukebox, you can’t go wrong with visiting a walk-in diner decked out in chrome and vinyl.
Interactive Attractions There’s no better place to pick up some deep-fried food from your childhood than at a
local fair or carnival. Little has changed at state and county fairs over the
years, and that’s exactly what makes them so timeless. Devour funnel cake, play Skee-Ball, win a
goldfish, or fly down a slide on a potato sack; however, fairs come and go
quickly and you have the rest of the summer to spend on memory lane. So get
your fix of rides and games at a nearby amusement park, which might offer
roller coasters, go-karts, bumper boats, and roller rinks, full-time.
Ask an adult which season he prefers and the answer will likely consider a
combination of factors. Ask a child the same question and the answer is simple:
summer. Renew your carefree childhood sensibility this season by revisiting the
allure of summertime simplicity. The nostalgia of fairs, food, cars, music, and
movies may just inspire you to ditch the electronic tablet and search for a
sock hop instead.
As featured in
Your Home and Lifestyle
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All measurements are approximate.
Copyright 2012 Network Communications Inc.
All rights reserved.
