First time feast, first time host

"Why don't you do it then?"

__"Me? The host?"

That's how it began. I am going to play host at a festival I don't even know, the biggest annual event in the area. It's time for Kiriko, a tall float that people carry through every nook and cranny of the neighborhood. Our ward happens to be one of the most rapidly aging communities in the area, and is in dire need of young people to pull the float. Last year, there were only three people and nobody ever had time to go to the loo. Imagine the situation when the procession could take until 4 a.m. 

Saturday morning I was asked by a neighbor to find "young people" where they are: our "Noto Satoyama Meister" Training Program which enrolls trainees under 45. I sent message in the morning and by afternoon was joined by four from the school. Together we went to meet the group in charge of the float, perhaps for the sake of good sushi. And thus the Meister Crew was formed over abalone and shrimp -- without much talk on the logistics as to where to stay, eat and drink during the all night event. And here was the solution given to me later by the ward lord: I play the host. Crazy? Yes. But this may be the one chance to try...