The McCarthy Family: STRAUSS FESTIVAL

Every year Elk Grove puts on the most exciting event, The Strauss Festival. There are choreographed dances, a 32-piece orchestra playing the music of Johann Strauss, Jr., the dancers are in colorful period costumes, lots of beautiful props and all of this is done on the most enchanting outdoor stage called "Strauss Island". For several years Cassie, Jillian and Bobby were the duckett's, yes, they were dressed in period costumes and their job was to look cute and chase any ducks off the stage. The Strauss is every July for four nights and it is free to the community. We were blessed to know some very important people who asked the kids to be duckett's. Thank you Ray and Carol. The rest as they say is history... even though my kids are no longer part of the Strauss Festival I still volunteer every year to help out. Most years I am a greeter, imagine that!!!! Here I am with my programs. You can see the Stage behind me.

My friend Carla, she is one of the dancers, with Jillian.

Here is Pat, Jillian, Cody (his mom dances and his grandpa is Ray, who got the kids started in Strauss), Carol (Ray's wife, no she doesn't dance) and Cassie.

Emma (Ray's granddaughter), Jillian, Ray and Cody.

Cassie with the fountain in the background. The Strauss Island is surround by this beautiful lake.

Jillian and the fountain...

and Bobby with the fountain..

The girls hanging out while I pass out programs...

Vi and her friend. The great thing about Strauss is you bring your dinner and drinks while enjoying a fabulous show.

Look at all the people on blankets...

Jillian and her friend Hannah...

Before the show the dancers walk around and allow you to take their picture. Ray, Jillian, Bobby and Raelynn (Ray's daughter and mother of Cody and the twins Emma and Jakob). They have been partners for years. How cool is that???