Woodhaven Ramblings: YAY FAIR!! ~ Day 10

Once again I was utterly exhausted, a touch bloated, and toting pain medication as we left the Fair for the last time this season. And once again I had a lump in my throat as I quietly said good-bye. I was physically ready for it to end but emotionally it was over far too fast.

I will be posting one more blog in the next day or so, with highlights and side notes and the answer to the burning question: how much weight I gained from eating with deep fried abandon for ten days straight. Stay tuned!

Until then, here's how we spent the last day of The Fair 2013. Heavy sigh.

Royalty Groupies Last year we stumbled upon a wonderful tradition for the last day of the Fair: the competition for the next year's Fair Court, culminating in the coronation of the Queen. Yes, although I would like to think I am Queen of the Fair, there is an actual process one is supposed to go through. Since it involves long, fluffy hair and a back-jarring horse, I will have to settle for being a Wannabe Fair Queen.

There were four teen girls yesterday vying for three Fair Court positions (one queen and two princesses). They were asked to do a practical variety of things that they would encounter as representatives of our Fair. They had to give a speech about why they love the Clark County Fair (I clapped any time food was mentioned). They had to think on their feet with a word association game as well as an impromptu question (What is the biggest issue facing people your age? If you could travel in time, would you rather go back to the past or into the future?). And they had to strut around a stage and pose a la Project Runway. I have to admit, I'm not sure how this last one plays into their typical Fair Court duties, other than it is important for them to look fabulous. Did I mention the fluffy hair?

After a change of clothes and restyling of hair, each girl had to get on her horse and ride around an arena simulating more Fair Court responsibilities. Things like strolling in a parade, carrying a sponsor flag, and riding around really fast while smiling and giving that low but warp-speed wave that cowgirls do.

I have to say, I was impressed by the thought that went into putting the contestants in realistic situations that would be part of their life were they on the Fair Court. The only thing I noticed was missing was being stalked by a Fair blogger. I would be happy to offer my assistance for next year.

During the few hours before the Queen and Princesses were announced, Rob and I discussed with great knowledge and experience whom we thought should be the Clark County Fair Court Queen.

We agreed that one girl -- Katelyn -- really stood out. She was poised, prepared, controlled, and had the slightest bit more maturity about her than the other contestants. Another contestant was clearly at home on a horse. She commanded the equestrian part of the competition and raced crazy fast around the arena with her hand blurred from all the waving. But she didn't look quite as comfortable with all the on-stage stuff.

The third contestant was easy-going and wasn't rushed or frazzled by anything. She was cool and steady, at least on the outside. But honestly, she didn't make as big as an impression as the others.

The fourth contestant was really nervous. I felt bad for her and just wanted give her a hug. She clearly wanted to be in the competition and to be the Fair Queen -- her enthusiasm mixed with her nerves was a bundle of energy to watch -- but she just didn't seem quite ready. She did manage to get her horse to walk backwards, though. Maybe I need to ask her to spend some time with Smokey before next year's Llama Obstacles competition.

And the winner is! At just about 8:30pm...a mere 90 minutes before the 2013 Clark County Fair was but a memory (cue more tears)...we were introduced to our 2014 Fair Court.

Meet Queen Katelyn (YAY!) and her three Princesses. Yes, three instead of two. With a last minute twist, the Fair decided it really needs all four young women to wave and schmooze and smile and cheer and otherwise promote the heck out of the best county fair in the world. YAY! It was a great surprise! Especially for the fourth contestant.

The rest of the day we spent hanging out with the llamas, riding the Ferris Wheel a couple of times, and oogling a baby wallaby who was in her pen for some "jump time."

We also stopped and said good-bye to Eric at the Sweet Cheeks Deep Fried Everything truck. He said they did OK at the Fair but Sacramento was better. Their next fair is in Pueblo, Colorado. Then it's off to New Mexico and then finally back to their home base in Arizona for the winter. Yes, I am already contemplating a tasty trip in January to the southwest.

Final Fair Food Feast Parade of 2013!

I did my best to eat some favorites for the last time until next year. I missed the pie and corn and Pad Thai and Hawaiian Shaved Ice, though. Oh, and I didn’t get a milkshake. I guess I have a lot of favorites. Hence the need to go all ten days of the Fair.

I walked a solid 4.58 miles for my last day. I will find out soon how well all my walking off-set all my eating.

To ease back into my normal way of eating, I decided to try this Greek salad from the purple octopus vendor. It was really good! I also enjoyed listening to their Greek music while I waited.

Not wanting to ease back in too fast, I paired my Greek salad with some Bourbon Chipotle Chicken Wings from the Young Life booth. Mmmm! Finger lickin' good!

Freshly made lemonade from the Old Fashioned Lemonade stand. SO much better than the lemonade from the booths that sell cotton candy. They squeezed two lemon wedges to make this. Next year I will ask them to do four. I like my lemonade lemony.

Soft serve swirl from the Church Ladies Pie booth. Good thing I got it when I did. By 7:30pm, they were out of chocolate and the vanilla was going fast. Hazards of eating on the last day.