Festivalgoers in I-Saan

I love to travel to rural festivals in North East Thailand (I-Saan) and bordering Laos. Called 'Boon Bang Fai' (Thai: บุญบั้งไฟ ), they are held in spring and are dedicated to encourage and celebrate the coming of the rains, important for a plentiful harvest. Beside lots of fun, big performances go on over an entire weekend. Participating groups from different local villages seriously compete for prizes for the prettiest costume and Miss, for the most elegant parade, or the best music and dance performance. Losers of the (home made) firework competition, a central part of the festival, may throw themselves in the mud, winners receive honor and money. One dresses and makes oneself up as perfectly as possible and proudly shows him or herself from the best side. I think this shows in my portrait series - as well as the gentle nature of the local people and their honest dedication and devotion to these socially important events. You may also feel the modesty or even hardships of an unpretentious country life during the rest of the year (and the usual heat during the festival season). The rather artificial titles of the photos should reflect the humorous side of the festivities. All pictures are 'street photography', not staged.