Monday, June 14, 2010

Welcome to Bawlmer, Hon!

















In Baltimore, a Hon is not just a charming endearment but a way of life. Anyone who's seen a John Waters movie (Hairspray 1988 is the best) has some idea of what a Hon is about. They're hard working, high living, Natty Boh drinking, animal print wearing, big hair having, loud laughing, bright makeup kind of women. They're no nonsense and down to earth. Don't think you can get anything by one of these gals, but once you've found a place in their heart, you're there forever.
















Each year the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore hosts an event to honor these ladies called Hon Fest. Among the many treats that await visitors to the festival are the Hon Beauty Contest (the bigger the hair, the better), the Little Miss Hon contest, great music, progressive art (lots of flamingos and velvet Elvises...Elvii?) and lots of food.
















Don't worry if you didn't get your Hon on before you got to the festival, there's a special salon right in the middle of all the action where you can get out of the heat and find your inner Hon.

















Come prepared to laugh. A lot. It's campy and crazy and tons of fun.
















Between the people watching, the dynamite food, and the fresh squeezed lemonade, it is impossible not to have a good time!


















For more, and far better pictures, check out my good friend John Waire's website. He was the official photographer of the Honfest and he did a fantastic job capturing the essence of this unusual festival.

18 comments:

  1. OMG! That's a hoot! What a fun festival! Oklahoma could do one of those too. Ha!

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  2. Argghhhhh!!! I have lived here for years and have never gone to Honfest!!! I am dying b/c this is the third blog post about it! I must go next year...I need to embrace the "culture" of Bawlmor!!

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  3. I've never heard of a Hon. But OMG, this looks incredibly FUN! I would make the trip just to pop in on this festival! lol!

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  4. sorry i missed you and the family! i was running all over the place...sweating my butt off. thanks very much for the mention :)

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  5. you know I have never been. living in baltimore for 5 or so years and still living sorta close by just never went.... will have to look it up for next time. looks like a blast!

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  6. oh my gosh! this looks like something right up our alley. i bet my daughter would have a blast doing that beauty contest (and maybe her mama would too). how fun!

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  7. We went last year and dressed Maureen up. She looked so cute! However, we were annoyed there was no place to sit. All that festival food to buy, and lots of blazing sun...and no picnic tables or chairs in sight.

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  8. What an awesome event! I want to come.

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  9. Looks like fun, hon! I envy you the hon fun and the beer-full-but-kid-free outing!

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  10. You are adorable! Love the glasses! I would have had a blast at the little shindig.

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  11. Note to self: must get there next year. On a side note - how cool that you & John Waire are friends! I started following him thru Jen Cooper. Small Bawlmer world, hon.

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  12. Ohmygoodness! Fun. I'm thinking Mimi from the Drew Carey Show?

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  13. Any festival with Elvii and beehives is a must-attend in my book. =>

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  14. Aww, I wish I could be there to have fun and laugh a bit!

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  15. my 2 girl sin the back w the pink and blue boas!

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  16. Oh my God, sometimes I miss my hometown like crazy...thank you for this and eat a crab for me! *sniff*

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Give me some sugar, baby!