Call it a magical Monday, as a crowd gathered in the courtyard of the Vacaville Museum for music and community during the “American Musical” holiday celebration.
Blue skies, wide shade and pleasant temperatures welcomed the visitors, who mingled with each other in anticipation of the main event.
The Ken Stout Trio – Ken Stout, Steve Krohn and Dacey Havens – warmed up with a few numbers, getting their toes and head announcing before Vivian B. McLaughlin added her amazing voice. Her daughter, Julien, was also a guest vocalist.
McLaughlin, a Vacaville native, has served as regional musical theater director and educator. She is best known for co-hosting “Out of the Box,” a Disney Playhouse series that involved singing, arts and crafts and acting out popular stories.
Between sets, visitors would enjoy free hotdogs and popcorn, the aroma adding to the cheerful atmosphere. When the thirst needed to be calmed down, there was a lot of lemonade to go.
On the carpet was also the museum’s current exhibition, “Under Where?”, With the history of underwear.
Ann Romer came with a friend and expressed that she was very happy to do so.
“It’s beautiful, and it’s beautiful that the day is so beautiful,” he said. “We just thought we’d come to see and hear.”
Lee Kloppenburg made the brief trip to the museum for a little change of scenery. Sitting on a scooter, he explained.
“I live across the street,” he said. “I helped build this place. Well, not built. I worked on the interior,” he explained.
The 90-year-old said he had trouble seeing and hearing, but was doing quite well.
“It’s pretty good,” he noted, looking at the size of the crowd, the enthusiastic animators and volunteers, the table laden with miniature American flags, pinwheels and bottles of mixed bubbles. “That’s a little expensive.”
The former speaker was quite valuable, himself.
As the afternoon passed, more and more people filled the courtyard and added to the sense of fun. But, there was room – and refreshments – for everyone.
It was more fun to follow the event, with a city-sponsored fireworks display at the CreekWalk later in the evening.
