Recreation

=__Recreation__= Social gatherings were an important part of colonial life. Colonists often combined work and play in parties called frolics. When colonists worked together to raise the frames for buildings for example, they also held games and contests, such as plowing contests and footraces. These gatherings also featured food, drink, and music. Colonists of all races enjoyed dancing except Puritans and Quakers. Town meetings, elections, militia training days, Thursday religious lectures, and Sunday services were social events for all men, women, and children. Colonists gathered on Sundays to visit one another before and after church services.Weddings became occasions for parties and gift giving. Taverns, sometimes called ordinaries were favorite gathering places for men. There they smoked, drank, read the newspaper, and played cards. A number of women became tavern owners, but most women gathered for sewing projects and quilt making. Children had their own way of entertaining themselves. Children played with homemade toys: balls, marbles, kites, and dolls. They also played hopscotch, leapfrog, London bridge, tag, and stick ball. Children of wealth had important toys, such as tea sets and finely crafted dolls and toy soldiers. Holidays provided another opportunity for people to get together. The celebration holidays varied among colonists. The most widely celebrated holidays were four days that marked the seasons:March 25 Lady's Day, June 24 Midsummer, Sept. 29 Michaelmas, and Dec. 25 Christmas. Fairs were also a big part of colonial life too. Fairs were to sell produce and have a good time. Races, prizes, dancing, puppet shows, and magicians were few things that were there too. Prizes went to whom could catch a greased pig, climb a grease pole, or whistle a tune without laughing. These gatherings played a major role in colonial life.