Victors of the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, arrived in District 7 today to much fanfare.
They were warmly and reverently greeted by the children of District 7, who were treated to the morning out of school to meet their heroes.
The children of District 7 were delighted to greet the Victors. Photo by Kate Osborne
Mayor Lindberg’s daughter Madeline and one of her classmates presented Miss Everdeen with a bouquet of pinecones foraged by the children of the Lumber District.
Madeline Lindberg presents bouquets to Ms. Everdeen. Photo by Dave Richards Photography
Representatives of the Western Carpentry College presented Mr Mellark with a perfectly carved two-inch replica of his Victor’s crown.
Katniss and Peeta were then given a tour of the lumberyard itself. District 12’s second male victor showed great interest in the storage room where thousands of samples of different timber specimens are kept before they are shipped to the export train.
Even Victors must wear a hardhat in the storage room! Photo credit: Danzer.com
Mr Mellark cracked a joke with the foreman about a wobbly leg on his dining table at home and was promised a replacement though, of course, this will need to be put to the Distribution Department first.
After a fine meal with Mayor Lindberg and his family, the Victors were introduced, at a drinks reception, to the District’s previous Victors and current mentors.
Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the second Quarter Quell and mentor of this year’s winners, was keen to see his mentoring friends, and rushed past the Capitol press without a word.
Haymitch Abernathy makes his way in to the soiree
District 7’s male Victors arrived together, looking every bit the dashing boy-band in their charming suits, despite their aging years. Blight told us that he was looking forward to meeting the two young Victors and, of course, Abernathy who won the year before him.
District 7’s only female mentor, Johanna Mason, also expressed a strong desire to get to the reception but refused to stop for ‘official’ comment.
Former D7 Victor Johanna Mason outside the recption
After the reception, Everdeen and Mellark took to the stage to greet the District’s citizens and deliver their speeches, in their mission to thank Panem for their support.
Their train was scheduled to leave soon after, so, following a burst of polite applause, the Victors retired to continue their tour across Panem.
Katniss and Peeta are expected next in District 6.