The Festival Of Florals

The Festival Of Florals is a daylong celebration of the growing season that lasts until the full moon reaches its pinnacle on the first month of summer. Food, games, fun, and merriment last all day and culminate in the reenactment of the "Florals". This story is a parable of the interaction of the patron deities on the growing season and with each other.

History

While this tale had always been known and told to the children of the area since antiquity, it wasn't until after the "Famine Wave" came that the government and religious leaders decided that they needed to do more to honor their deities.  They believed that by having this festival they could prevent or at least lessen any detrimental effects to their plants and crops during bad years and strengthen and improve the yield in good years.  Since the time of the festivals enactment, the plants and crops have never lessened, and the people have not experienced a famine yet.

Execution

The festival officially begins at day break and last until the full moon reaches its peak, but few people go that early in the morning. Most will attend during midmorning, with more people to arrive around noon, but nearly everyone will be there in the evening. The event runs throughout the entire town but most of the attractions and games are held in the largest open areas that the town has, usually a fairgrounds or donated pasture. All people are welcome, even those from distant lands or those with opposing belief systems. Vendors set up and operate all day long offering various foodstuffs, goods, games of chance, face painting, and livestock auctions. Music is played all day long with various dances and dancers.
Throughout the day several actors dressed as the famous deities will travel around town announcing the festival, calling out names, handing out flowers, proclaiming their deity, and blessing the spectators. During the afternoon a variety of contests are held between members of the town. Contests range from individuals participating in archery, sawing, axe throwing, tree climbing, roping, races, puzzle solving, and obstacle courses, to group relays and contests like Tug Of War.
After the evening meal, all will gather near the stage and watch the reenactment of the "Florals" and their plight against those who would do them harm. Filled with both comedy and moral lessons, all who watch are treated to humor, entertainment, and wisdom about the planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. After the show, the various priests offer their thanks and blessings to the people and offer their best advice on the coming weather and how to proceed with the growing and when it would be best to harvest this year. A large bonfire is then lit and kept burning until the full moon reaches its peak. Things begin to slow down but the music continues as well as the dancing, drinking, eating, and gaming.

Components and tools

Those who are celebrating the festival will usually be wearing various shades of green clothing, often with brightly colored floral prints.  Females usually wear flowered wreaths on their heads or colorful flowers in their hair.

Participants

All people are welcome to partake in the festival. A select few performers will wear the costumes of the honored deities and reenact the parable of the "Florals".

Observance

This festival takes place during the day of the first full moon of the first month of the summer, just as many of the berries are ripening and the plants and crops are growing intensely.

The Florals: These are the patron deities responsible for allowing the plants and crops to grow and be fruitful.

• Mimea, Goddess Of Plants 
• Kilimo, God Of Agriculture 
• Collita, Daughter Of The Harvest 

They are opposed by:

• Kebuluran, God Of Famine 

In a more neutral role, they are both supported by and sometimes opposed by:

• Luken, God Of The Sun And Light 
• Procella, Goddess Of Storms