Wow. What a final day at the 2025 Clark County Fair! It got up to 98 degrees at the Fairgrounds – a far cry from the refreshingly rainy 69 degrees just 4 days ago. The crowds were definitely lighter today – we don’t do heat well here in the Pacific Northwest. Those of us who showed up – and the numbers grew as it got closer to Monster Truck Time – mostly slogged around in the heat.
Rob and I arrived after church and met my mom and her friend Linda outside the Food Court. The ladies had already been fairing for a couple hours and had wisely spent most of it in the Big Air Conditioned Building. They emerged just in time to have prime viewing of the Clydesdales Horse Team!
 |
| Sooo much better than any photos I took earlier in the Fair! Thanks, Mom! |
After chatting for a bit – and totally neglecting to take a
sweaty photo – we hugged goodbye so Rob and I could take a lap around the
Fairgrounds before our final afternoon shift in the Gazebo.
We attempted to watch the Pirate Parrot Show. We have seen it many times in past years but hadn’t had a chance to catch it this year. Rob is a trooper and sat through the entire show on hot metal bleachers without shade. There were four other adults, one kid, and one very weary pirate. Major props to Pirate Christopher who fulfilled his show duties despite a meager audience and what had to be a sweltering pirate costume. Arrgrh.
 |
| A true pro right there. |
I tried three times to join Rob in providing spectator moral support for Pirate Christopher, but the heat hit me hard. I kept having to retreat to the Goat Barn with its glorious fans. I never quite recovered and struggled with the heat all day. I refilled my big Smashers cup at least 4 times with ice water (BLESS YOU, Clark Public Utilities Free Cold Water Booth!) and still couldn’t shake a massive headache and slight nausea. I’m hoping a solid night’s sleep in Woodhaven’s air conditioning will take care of things. (UPDATE: It did! All good now!)
 |
| I later found another fan at the other end of the barn that was equipped with hay bale seating. Ahhhh.... Thank you, Goat People! |
 |
| All that was left. I suspect next year's order will be BIG. Nobody wants to relive the Passport and Beanie Baby Shortage Stress ever again! |
We did almost have An Incident in the Gazebo. And I’m still shaking my head.
A grown woman – probably about my age chronologically – tried to cheat her way into “winning” two free Beanie Babies. And not for kids, for herself. It’s a long story, which I typed out and deleted but feel better for the venting. And it proved our new “Congratulations!” redemption stamp system works. YAY! But the woman was mean and angry and exhibited absolutely zero Fair Joy.
Unfortunately, I had to let her get away with being a Cheater McCheaterpants (she literally grabbed the Beanie Babies and trotted away with choice words after I called her out). I didn’t want actual children witnessing a tantrum by an adult who should have known better decades ago. BOO, Cheater Lady!
 |
| Yes, they are adorable. And meant for CHILDREN. Good grief. |
After we handed out the Very Last Beanie Baby of the 2025 Clark County Fair, Rob and I headed down to see Tosha for our Final Fair meal. As ALWAYS happens, my appetite suddenly switched off today and I only ate about half of my delicious Italian Sub Smashed Potato dinner. Somehow my weary body always knows when the Fair Feast Finish Line is within sight.
 |
| Our last Beanie Baby Recipient celebrating in the mister. |
Rob and I intended to finally take our annual ride on the
Ferris Wheel tonight, but the line was at least an hour long. We looked at the
line, looked at each other, and promised we would ride the Ferris Wheel at the
next Fair we go to in the not-too-distant future (insert foreshadowing music
here).
Instead, we took a last leisurely stroll through the moonlit
Fairgrounds in the warm 80-degree air. We said goodbye to Smasher Stan and
Jaymi on our way to the Milkshake Barn for our final Fair treat. We strolled
out of the Fairgrounds at about 9:30 after pausing near the deserted Pirate
Ship to look down the Midway to wistfully bid the 2025 Clark County Fair a very
fond fairwell.
I still haven’t cried, which is surprising. I think I’m too exhausted
and perhaps still a little heat-stricken. The tears of appreciation and
gratitude will come. They always do.
I will write one more blog about this year’s 2025 Clark County Fair after I’ve gotten some sleep, cooled down, and had a chance to fully realize what an amazing 10 days this has been.
 |
| Not quite the same as riding the Ferris Wheel but it was still a romantic walk with the very best Fair Buddy I could hope for. |
FAIR FOOD FEAST COLLAGE!
 |
| Top Row: Pork Plate from the Hawaiian Islander stand outside the Food Court. I did not enjoy the chicken bowl from them earlier in the Fair but we sat next to some folks at the DogTown show yesterday who raved about the pulled pork. Verdict: Nope. Even doused with BBQ sauce, it didn't have a lot of flavor and it was mushy like the chicken. And a number of pieces were pretty much just fat. BOO! The macaroni salad was pretty good, but not enough to go back next year. Strawberry Mango Smasher! The last one until next year! Thanks for keeping me hydrated, Stan and Jaymi! Bottom Row: Free ice water in my Smashers cup from the Clark Public Utilities booth. Thanks, PUD People! Italian Sub Smashed Potatoes from the Raclette booth. Super good yet again. But the heat and 10 days of fairing caught up to me -- I only finished about half. Thanks for feeding me, Tosha! Fresh milkshake peaches! I had no idea you could buy cups of fruit from the milkshake barn! Or, maybe it's only on the final day? In any case, this dish of fresh peaches was SO good! A great way to ease my body back into a more grown-up post-Fair diet. Mmmm! |
2 comments:
Thanks for taking me to the CLARK county Fair this year! I enjoyed every minute.😁
You are so welcome! Thanks for vicariously fairing with me!
Post a Comment