Under the Cursed Moon - CH - 81

The morning of the Forks Annual Festival dawned bright and crisp, with sunlight cutting through the evergreen trees, illuminating the town square where the festival had been set up. Bunting hung between the lampposts, swaying gently in the breeze, and the smell of freshly baked goods wafted from the rows of food stalls.

Families were already arriving, bundled up against the lingering chill, but with smiles and excitement buzzing through the air. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the space, blending with the upbeat strumming of a local band setting up on the temporary stage.

The town square had been transformed. Tables covered in colorful checkered cloths formed neat rows, surrounded by vendors selling everything from homemade jams to handcrafted jewelry. There was a corner designated for the food competition, where pies and casseroles awaited judgment from the local chefs.

A central area had been cleared for the baseball tournament, with makeshift bleachers set up around the perimeter. The chalk-drawn bases gleamed white against the damp earth, and a large hand-painted sign read:

"Forks Annual Baseball Tournament - Champions' Game Tonight!"

On the other side of the square, the kids' zone was already bustling. Face painting, sack races, and a small petting zoo occupied the younger visitors, while older teens gathered around the dunk tank—where Jacob had reluctantly agreed to take the first shift.

Harry, dressed in simple jeans and a plaid shirt, helped set up the last few booths while Hermione handed out volunteer badges to the local teenagers helping coordinate the activities. Teddy ran around the festival grounds, already sticky with candy from the cotton candy stall, dragging his friend Renesmee along to show her the miniature pony he’d discovered.

“Careful, Teddy,” Hermione called after him, though she couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t pull her arm off.”

Harry chuckled. “He’s been waiting for this all week. I think we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t try to organize his own event by the end of the day.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow. “He did suggest a ‘junior magical detectives’ club’ yesterday.”

Harry sighed. “We really need to limit how many crime novels he reads.”

The townsfolk had embraced the festival’s growth, opening home stays and setting up food stalls, craft booths, and small pop-up shops. Streets were lined with hand-painted signs, advertising everything from homemade pies to woodcarving demonstrations. The local diner stayed open 24 hours, and the usually quiet roads were filled with festival-goers.

The festival wasn’t just a cultural celebration anymore—it was a business opportunity, and the people of Forks made sure to capitalize on the influx of visitors.

The festival began with a parade down Main Street, led by the Forks High School marching band. Local families lined the sidewalks, cheering as the baseball teams marched past, waving their caps. The Tornadoes and Cowboys received the loudest cheers, but there were over 20 teams in total, representing cities and states from across the country.

The Cowboys, determined to reclaim the title, made a powerful debut against the Seattle Sluggers, winning by a wide margin. On the other hand, the Tornadoes faced a surprising defeat against the Portland Pioneers, raising questions about whether they would even make it to the final.

In the evening, the local musicians took the stage, and food vendors sold everything from smoked salmon tacos to berry pies. The town square became a dance floor, and the festival was officially in full swing.

The second day began with the first rounds of the Surfing Tournament at Harry’s Beach. The waves were particularly strong, perfect for competitors looking to show off their skills.

The favorite, Kai Nakamura, performed a flawless aerial flip, setting the bar high. Local surfers, though less experienced, impressed the crowd with their spirit and perseverance.

On the beach, vendors sold fish and chips, lemonade, and churros, while artists set up small booths to sell seashell jewelry and driftwood carvings. Luna, fascinated by the activity, convinced Harry to buy a hand-carved wolf totem for Teddy.

This day focused on the Native American heritage, with the Quileute tribe hosting storytelling sessions, drum circles, and a traditional dance performance. Sam, Leah, and Jacob took turns leading the presentations, sharing stories of their ancestors and explaining the importance of the wolf spirit.

The baseball matches continued in the background, with the Cowboys securing another victory, while the Tornadoes fought hard to claw their way back into the competition.

A local craft fair popped up near the community center, with townsfolk displaying handmade quilts, paintings, and woodwork. Hermione spent hours browsing the stalls, talking to artisans about their techniques and learning more about the Quileute craftsmanship.

As the tournament neared its climax, tensions rose. The Cowboys, still undefeated, faced the Los Angeles Lightning, a team known for their aggressive play. In a nail-biting match that ended 7-6, the Cowboys secured their spot in the finals.

Meanwhile, the Tornadoes, fighting to stay in the tournament, faced the Chicago Crushers. In a stunning comeback, they managed to win 5-4, reigniting their hopes for a rematch with the Cowboys.

In the cultural pavilion, visitors were treated to a cooking demonstration by local chefs, showcasing dishes made with wild berries and fresh-caught fish. Harry, not usually one for cooking shows, found himself fascinated by the smoked salmon pie that Esme volunteered to make for the event.

The final day was a whirlwind of excitement. Early in the morning, the final surfing competitions took place. Kai Nakamura, having maintained his lead throughout, took home the golden surfboard trophy after executing a perfect barrel roll on a monster wave.

Back at the baseball field, the crowd gathered for the grand finale. The Cowboys and Tornadoes faced off, both determined to claim the title. The game was neck and neck, with both teams displaying impressive skill and teamwork.

In the final inning, the Tornadoes managed to score a two-run home run, barely edging out the Cowboys 9-8. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the Tornadoes celebrated their hard-won victory, reclaiming their title from the previous year.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the festival stage was lit up, and the final performances began. Local bands played folk songs, and the winners of both the baseball and surfing tournaments were honored on stage.

The Cowboys graciously accepted their runner-up medals, while the Tornadoes held the championship trophy high. Kai Nakamura, still grinning from his surfing victory, was given a special plaque recognizing his exceptional performance.

The bonfire was lit once more, and townsfolk gathered for the closing ceremony. Harry stood with Hermione, Teddy, and the Cullens, watching the flickering flames as stories were shared one last time.

Mayor Halvorsen took the stage, thanking everyone for making the festival a success.
“This festival has become more than just a tournament,” he declared. “It’s become a celebration of our community, our friends, and our spirit. And it wouldn’t be possible without everyone who pitched in—especially the Black family for hosting so much of it. Thank you, Harry, Hermione, and Teddy!”

The crowd applauded, and Harry raised a hand in acknowledgment, a little embarrassed by the attention.

Teddy grinned up at him.
“You did good, Dad,” he whispered.
Harry ruffled his hair. “We all did.”

As the last song played and the town basked in the afterglow of a successful festival, Harry knew that, despite the challenges they had faced, they had found a way to bring joy and unity to the place they called home.

The Forks Town Hall was bustling once again, but this time with a different kind of energy. The festival had ended just two days prior, and now the locals gathered to reflect, discuss, and plan for the next year. This post-festival meeting had become a tradition—an opportunity to analyze what went well and what could be improved while the memories were still fresh.

The large community room was packed with festival volunteers, council members, business owners, and families who had helped in various capacities. The air smelled faintly of coffee and the last remnants of festival treats, as Esme had thoughtfully brought in some leftover berry scones.

Harry, Hermione, and Teddy sat near the front, joined by Luna, who was still beaming with pride over the Treasure Hunt she had organized. Mayor Scott Halvorsen stood at the head of the room, adjusting his notes and smiling broadly.

Scott banged his gavel lightly, calling the meeting to order.
“Alright, folks! First off, I want to thank everyone for making this year’s festival the biggest and best one yet!”

A round of applause erupted, and a few whistles echoed from the back.

“This year, we had more visitors than ever before,” Scott continued. “Estimates say we had over 5,000 attendees over the five days. That’s double what we had three years ago!”

He pointed to Mrs. Albright, who was keeping track of the notes for the official festival book.
“Mrs. Albright, would you note that down? More than 5,000 attendees. We’ll need to prepare for an even bigger crowd next year.”

Scott opened the floor for feedback.
“Alright, let’s start with accommodations. I know many of you rented out land for tents or offered home stays. How did that go?”

Mr. Halloway, who had rented his backyard for tent pitching, raised his hand.
“It was great! I had about 15 people staying on my land. No trouble at all, and I made enough to cover my mortgage for a month. We should advertise camping spots more next year.”

Mrs. Albright made a note.

Next, Marla, the diner owner, spoke up.
“My place was packed every night. I think we could set up more food stalls next time—especially around the baseball field. Folks didn’t want to leave their spots to grab food.”

Carlisle chimed in, nodding.
“We noticed that too. Perhaps a few mobile food carts closer to the field?”

Hermione added thoughtfully, “We could organize a food vendor rotation, so different stalls cover different parts of the grounds throughout the day.”

Scott grinned as he shared the financial report.
“The festival council collected 20% of vendor earnings from those who came from out of town. Between the food stalls, craft booths, and merchandise sales, that added up to nearly $35,000 for the town’s budget.”

A cheer rose from the crowd. It was a substantial boost for a small town like Forks.

“And the baseball tournament fees and surfing registration brought in another $14,000,” Scott continued. “We’re thinking of using that money to improve the park facilities and expand the baseball field. Thoughts?”

Harry raised his hand.
“Maybe also consider setting up permanent stalls at the park for future festivals. That way, food vendors don’t have to bring their own setups every year.”

Several heads nodded in agreement.

When Scott brought up kids’ activities, Luna’s eyes brightened.
“Teddy and I organized the Treasure Hunt, and it was a huge hit! The kids loved solving the clues and finding the big trunk of chocolates.”

Teddy bounced in his seat, clearly proud.
“We could do it next year too! Maybe make it even bigger. Add some team challenges!”

Mrs. Jensen, a local mom, agreed.
“My kids talked about it for hours. Maybe next year, have a kids’ activity area with more of those interactive games.”

Luna nodded enthusiastically.
“We could have nature scavenger hunts, storytelling sessions, and craft-making. I’d be happy to help!”

Mayor Scott moved on to the baseball tournament, the centerpiece of the festival.
“The Cowboys and Tornadoes game was the highlight. People loved seeing such professional-level play. But we heard some feedback that the local teams felt overshadowed.”

Harry suggested, “What if we have a local team championship earlier in the week, and the winners get to play against one of the invited teams? That way, they feel more involved.”

Jacob, from the back, shouted, “Yeah! We’ll get a Quileute team next year. Show them how it’s done!”

More laughter filled the room. The idea of the Quileutes forming a team brought some playful teasing and encouragement.

Scott then opened the floor for suggestions for general improvements.

Mrs. Baker, who owned a small inn, suggested setting up a festival map and information booth at the town entrance to guide newcomers.
“We had folks wandering all over trying to find the surfing competition,” she explained.

Leah raised a point about parking issues.
“We had some visitors parking on residential lawns. Maybe we need better designated parking areas.”

Hermione noted it down.
“We could coordinate with nearby schools to use their lots and have a shuttle service.”

After an hour of discussion, Scott wrapped up the meeting.
“This year was an enormous success, thanks to everyone’s hard work. We’ll take all your suggestions into account and start planning even earlier next year. Let’s keep this festival growing!”

Harry, as the meeting concluded, shook hands with several locals who approached him, thanking him for helping make the festival so successful.

As they stepped out into the evening, Teddy was still brimming with excitement, recounting his favorite festival moments to anyone who would listen.

Hermione slipped her hand into Harry’s.
“You did good,” she said softly.
Harry smiled. “We all did. It’s nice to see Forks thriving. Feels like… family.”

Luna, catching up with them, chimed in.
“I think the festival brought out the best in everyone. It’s lovely seeing people happy. Next year, we should make the treasure hunt even more challenging!”

Teddy grinned up at her.
“Yeah! We’ll make it the Epic Forks Treasure Adventure!”

And as they walked back to Black Mansion, the quiet sense of accomplishment and community wrapped around them like a warm, comforting blanket.