Victory Tour Highlights - District 9! Katniss and Peeta Visit Panem's Breadbasket

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark disembarked their luxury train just after midday into Panem’s golden grain district. 

The weather held up well as they took a stroll through District 9s rolling fields, full to bursting with harvest-ready wheat, rye, barley, and corn. Mayoress Baxter loaned Miss Everdeen a delicate ochre parasol to protect her from the afternoon’s harsh sun as she perused the crops arm-in-arm with her co-victor. Mr Mellark, a baker’s son, had much to ask about the District’s exports, and the conversation between him and the mill’s foreman was particularly animated. 

While the tour of the mills and fields was happening, the Justice Building was being decked out for a hearty feast on behalf of the Victors’ visit. When they reappeared, Katniss and Peeta were dressed to the nines (pun intended!) for the banquet. 

Every District 9 citizen was represented at the feast, either in person or by providing a dish to be served on the long benches set up in the city square. The children of the Community Home produced a selection of little cakes for the heroes to enjoy, which the young couple graciously accepted. 

Before the feast commenced, Peeta made a speech thanking the District for their support during the Victory Tour and the 74th Annual Hunger Games, while Katniss, clearly nervous about public speaking, read her acknowledgements from her cue card.

The atmosphere was jovial until it came to the moment District 9 chose to remember their fallen tributes from the 74th Hunger Games, both sadly taken during the initial bloodbath. The parents of the unlucky couple were given a private table closer to their homes, a respectful distance from the celebrations. 

A long journey to their next destination awaited the young travellers, so they said their goodbyes before the feast was finished and were led back to their train followed by reverential applause.

 

Cinna and Portia will no doubt have their work cut out for them as the pair next head to Panem’s textiles capital, District 8.