2025 Clark County Fair! – Day 4

It was a GREAT Fair day today! Wow, sleep is a magical thing. I got a whole bunch of it last night, I didn’t have to rush this morning, and we arrived at the Fairgrounds ready to eat lunch and meander. YAY! As suspected, it took a few days but I am finally settling into my blissful Fair Routine. I absolutely adore (and need!) this annual 10-day escape from reality. FAIR!

Gazebo-wise, it was a largely uneventful day. One person was a no-show but the crowds were manageable without Jonathan. We needed a tote of Beanie Babies just as Marketing Intern Trevor was wondering if he could make a delivery. We - and especially Rob’s back - were so grateful for the timing!

I got to use my laminator again this morning to provide photos of the Grand Prize for the raffle. WHOO HOOO! My laminator is my third favorite organizational tool after spreadsheets and a label maker.

“A kid’s drivable electric truck from Toyota” is a bit of a mouthful. Marketing Assistant Jenny had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the Grand Prize – tantalizingly housed in the Administration Office – and posting it in the Gazebo to stoke the dreams of any kid who could fit in the truck. I had more time (she is a woman on the move!) and easy access to a laminator, so behold the Passport to Fun Raffle Grand Prize!

Pretty snazzy, right?!
The red truck, too!

We ate lunch (mine was much better than Rob’s – note to future fairing self: avoid the DeMolay Food Booth. Icky chicken tenders and French fries), and then decided to stroll around gathering more info for my Passport to Fun Department Spreadsheet. I sort of feel like a judge or something as I wander around wearing a badge and carrying a clipboard. I'm trying not to let any illusions of power and importance go to my head. Hopefully my much-noted adorable cow earrings kept people from thinking I was anybody fancy. 

How cute are those cows??
Etsy for the earring win!

We chatted with Shooting Sports, Pigeons, Poultry, Antique Equipment, Bees, Horses, Rabbits, Spinners/Sheep, and Dogs. We’re pretty sure we’ve covered all the animals now, until the half-way switcheroo on Wednesday. Still have lots of non-animal departments to go!

It’s become very amusing how often we are told, “I have no idea who that person is!” when the current department folks review the info I have. It has also been heartening, but also a little concerning, how surprised people are to have someone come by to check in on their Passport to Funness. They are even more stunned when we return with any requested supplies.

I love spreading Fair Joy from the Gazebo. I had no idea that going around and making contact with the various Passport to Fun departments would be another way to do that! SO COOL!!  YAY FAIR!! YAY FAIR JOY!!

Don't I look official?

As we were chatting with the Horse Superintendent, she was interrupted by an update on her walkie-talkie. Another horse person appeared and it was clear Something Important was happening. We then noticed a collection of People We Know Are Important (and none wearing cow earrings) had gathered outside the Horse Arena, all looking rather expectant.

The anticipation and anxiety were
palpable. I was told there are a LOT
of logistics to host the imminent visitors.

I’m a pretty experienced eavesdropper, so it wasn’t long before we learned that the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses were arriving ANY MINUTE! OH MY GOSH!! THE BEER HORSES ARE COMING! THE BEER HORSES ARE COMING!

The convoy was then delayed because the very subtle, enormous, bright red semis carrying the iconic equestrian marketing team were keenly spotted by local law enforcement. The po-po kindly offered to escort the Super Exciting Visitors to the Fairgrounds…only to mistakenly escort them past the special Fair gate they were supposed to enter. I just LOVE that our local officers were as excited as I am that the beer horses are visiting!

I swear I almost heard the Budweiser music playing as the first of three large red trucks finally rounded the corner from the Purple Gate. It was so cool!

Click here for a fun compilation of oompa 
music and reminiscent commercials!

Rob and I stayed as long as we could but sadly did not see the horses offload. However, we DID get to see some of the enormous equines once they were snug in their stalls. Good Lord, those are some BIG ANIMALS! It was pretty exciting to stand so close to them.

The famous horsies will be making two public appearances later in the week, but I’m still pretty giddy that by sheer luck we got to see them arrive AND find out they are available to visit in the Horse Stables! FAIR!! FAIR!! FAIR!!!

For reference, I am about 5'4"
I came up to about the horse's chin.
Riders must use a ladder to get on!

We spent part of the afternoon watching Mutton Bustin’ – always a favorite event where small children hang onto woolly sheep for dear life as the sheep run around a dirt ring. It’s basically bull riding for kids. Rob and I are still trying to figure out how we can convince various siblings to allow our very young nieces and nephews to come visit Aunt Toni and Uncle Rob some August and just happen to find themselves riding a sheep.

Super cute and lots of stunned waving to the
crowd after being flung off the sheep!

Look how innocent we are!
Uncle Rob and Aunt Toni only
want you to have FUN and make
some Fair memories!

We also caught two of our favorite kids' shows (Professor Smart and Adam the Great) and were stoked that they both had some new material! We are groupies of both performers, so we are pretty familiar with their shows. We notice when new jokes slide in and when a kid makes a bit go a little sideways. Those moments are some of my favorites, as I get to watch pros be pros as they think fast on their feet with lots of eyes and ears paying attention.

Adam the Great has a new prop!
I loved his casual Fonzie reference
when he hit the jukebox to try to 
get it to play music! Gen X in the house!
Or at least Fair Tent.

Much to my surprise, Professor Smart called me up on stage with two kids and another adult to help with a demonstration about suction (sooo many puns left untyped). Just because it was easier, I was referred to as a “Parent” to one of the kids. It took me a few beats to catch on and respond accordingly, me only parenting cats and none were on stage. My “son” was a pretty cute kid, took direction well, and was a good hugger. I enjoyed my 3 minutes of being his mom. I hope he has a good life.

He even has my birthdate number
on his jersey! Dawwww!

Professor Smart also added one of the coolest science experiments I've ever seen in a kids' show. He brought up a gaggle of kids with loud, high-pitched voices (PLENTY to choose from). After allowing each kid to try individually without success, Professor Smart then put on protective earphones and told the group to scream as loud as they could to try to break a lightbulb (safely housed in a ziplock baggie).

To the shock and delight of all, the collective scream shattered the bulb! The kids were ECSTATIC!! One boy trotted off the stage to his parents gleefully reporting, "I BROKE A LIGHTBULB WITH MY VOICE!!!" 

This, friends, is what fairing is all about! That kid has a core memory and maybe even a burgeoning interest in science. And I have a really cool video and most of my hearing left. FAIR! FAIR! FAIR!

The joy was AWESOME!!!
Click here for the video. Be sure
to keep your eye on the white baggie
in Professor Smart's hand.

We are back in the Gazebo tomorrow afternoon, spreading our own brand of Fair Joy as best we can!

FAIR FOOD FEAST COLLAGE!

Clockwise from top left:

Bahn Mi Salad (kids portion) from the Bahn
Mi booth at the southeast corner of the Food
Court. SO good! Fresh romaine, carrots, cucumbers,
chicken, rice, cilantro, topped with a really 
flavorful cilantro-based sauce. Guilt-free
and delicious. Wish I could get this year round!

Strawberry Peach Pear Smasher! They don't
always have the Peach Pear so I jump on it
when I can. Mmmmm!

Cookies and Cream Dessert Nachos from the
lonely yellow food truck. I had a tiny sample of this
flavor a few days ago and loved it. Tonight's version,
though, just wasn't as good. It wasn't as cinnamony
and Rob and I both thought the chips tasted a little burnt.
Really odd and disappointing. We will give the truck one more
try, because we really want to love this. 

Spicy Chicken Bowl from the Hawaiian Islander
food truck outside of the Food Court. This sounded
delicious with rice, spiced chicken, avocado, cabbage, 
carrots, and Sriracha. And it looked so pretty! But I did
not like it. The chicken was very finely chopped so
the texture was soft and mushy. I couldn't figure
out what the flavor was - it wasn't Asian but it
wasn't what I've had in Hawaii either. Whatever it was,
I wasn't a fan and ended up eating all the plain rice I
could before tossing it. The stand has gotten great 
reviews for their poke (fish) so maybe that's where
they really shine. I won't find out since I don't
like that type of fish. Sigh. I had high hopes!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry milkshake!
Vanilla shake with fresh strawberries and 
Ghiradelli chocolate sauce mixed in. Super
tasty and thicker than the shake I had a few days
ago. Already thinking about tomorrow's shake!

Still working on the kettle corn!