2026 Clark County Fair – Day 10 aka THE LAST DAY

I was going to write about The Last Day of my beloved Fair when we got home last night, but we stayed a bit late. I also wanted the luxury of just taking a shower and going to bed. I still had to set an alarm this morning – the interior painters arrived at 8:00am and are currently making lots of masking tape noises in our bedroom.

Yesterday was a MUCH better fairing day.

We got to the Fairgrounds to open up the Gazebo and greet the 3 volunteers. Then we were off to church. I’m pleased we kept that priority while fairing!

I was greeted with such love and friendship by my church family! A number of them read my blog and follow my fairing on social media. I got hugs and commiseration and encouragement. They were just the boost I needed to fair well on the last day and not let Day 9 be the definition of this year’s Fair. Thank you, church family!! You ROCK!

Nothing says love quite like
a Church Cookie

The fairgrounds were busy for the last day – and got more so over the course of the day – but they weren’t nearly as whackadoodle crowded as Saturday. The consensus of all the Fair peeps I talked to was that Saturday was ridiculous. I wasn’t the only one – by far – who had a rough day. Just part of the roller coaster of 10 Days of Fair.

Rob and I caught most of the 2:00pm Tuff Trucks show. With the disappearance of my favorite Demolition Derby, the Tuff Trucks is now my favorite dirt sport. I love that the participants are mostly local testosterone running their dirty rigs around an obstacle course. Pickups and Jeeps of various sorts are most common. But there’s also the occasional Subaru, minivan, and Saturn.

One of our painters just identified this
for me as a Saturn Ion. Click here to 
see a video of the floppy hood racing
around the track! And click here
to see a minivan blow its rear tire.
SO MUCH FUN!

By design, Rob and I had the very last shift in the Gazebo. Hanging out together in the Gazebo is a wonderful way to end 10 days of fairing. We quietly watched the last excitement walk by. We helped kids get their “last chance” Beanie Babies. We watched the llamas and alpacas trot out of the Llama Greenway to head home. We said goodbye to Mina, our favorite Clark County Fire District 6 employee who checked in with us each day, commiserated about Fair Food Finds, and never did complete a Passport.

I never get tired of watching llamas trot!
Click here to see the short parade!

Marketing Maven Jenny stopped by towards the end of the shift to gather supplies and share hugs and deep sighs of relief. After being in the Fair Trenches with each other for two years now, I am pretty sure we are friends for life.

We laughed, we cried, we waved,
we hugged, we texted. We had
a blast together! Love you, Jenny!

After we closed up the Gazebo for the last time in 2026, Rob and I grabbed dinner (wow, what an awful corn dog!), stopped by to say goodbye to our Smashers friends (even got a hug from one of the kids!), gave a high-five to Tosha in the Potato Smashers booth with promises to visit her at her restaurant in La Center (Podunk Pizza), and hung out with our friends Ali and Terri in the Sewing & Clothing Department. 

Ali and Terri had a LONG night ahead of them, tearing down the displays and organizing all the entries and ribbons for easy retrieval by the participants. As tired as I am this morning, I cannot begin to imagine how exhausted all the exhibitors are. Just as the Fairgoers leave, the hard work of Tear Down begins.

Us with Ali in the adorable and
super fun board SHE PAINTED!!
Yes, she is starting to pursue a
career in artistry. YAY!
Click here to see her
website-in-progress.

There weren’t any tears on the way home last night. There were a few wistful moments throughout the day, though. I took a moment in the Grandstands to remember how desperately I missed the crowd and the excitement during those confusing, isolated, strange days of Covid when my beloved Fair was cancelled.

Afternoon Tuff Trucks crowd. Pretty
sure the only reason it wasn't at capacity
was some of the seats were in the sun.

I listened mindfully as Rob and I strolled the Midway holding hands, taking in the murmur of fair voices and carnival screams and booth music. I stared at the ramshackle Gazebo that was my home-away-from-home and laser focus for 10 days, thanking it for the escape from heavier stresses of life…even on Day 9 when I resented it for stealing my Fair Joy. I watched families exit the Green Gate as I waited for my Fair Finale Elephant Ear, wondering what it would be like to merely attend my beloved Fair…and being deeply grateful I get to be a part of it instead.

I will post one final Fair 2026 blog later this week, once I’ve rested a bit, done some laundry, and the paint fumes are gone.

FAIR FOOD FEAST PARADE!

Pastrami Sandwich from the Church
Ladies Pie Stand. Perfection.

Pineapple Strawberry Smasher.
Oddly, the Strawberry made the coconut
in the Pineapple more pronounced. I 
decided I didn't need that much coconut.
It was fine, but I'll remember not to
blend the Pineapple next year.

Tuff Trucks Red Vines. I had some 
for breakfast this morning since
I need to go grocery shopping.

Raspberry Caramel milkshake! A
delicious combination I learned
about last year from a Fair Queen.
Royalty knows stuff!

Horrible corn dog from the Smokehouse
Booth. To be fair, it was the last hours
on the last day. But...ick. Burned
corn dog is not appetizing.

Fair Finale Elephant Ear from the 
Chuck Wagon near the Green Gate.
Buttery and douse with sugar and
cinnamon. Perfect ending to The Fair.

2026 Clark County Fair – Day 9

Today was a tough day. I didn’t have fun, and I’m sad.

I spent most of the day trying to manage low supplies for the Gazebo. I wasn’t able to do the Fair things I planned to do today. I feel like the Gazebo stole my Fair Joy, and I’m grumpy.

I wasn’t able to settle into the bleachers at the Junior Livestock Auction and wave my paddle around to support random kids and their animals. Or go to the opening round of the 2-day Tuff Truck competition. Or sit next to Rob in our favorite spot and watch the evening round. Or just breathe in the Fair.

Instead, I was sending and replying to status update texts, walking with purpose around the Fairgrounds looking for people who could help me track down supplies, and trying to manage impressively enthusiastic volunteers without snuffing out their fun, too.

A friend sent me a photo from the 
Iowa State Fair. I sent this one back to him.
Five people in the Gazebo, and we were
all busy. Usually two is enough.

It didn’t help that today was the busiest day of the Fair this year, at least from what I saw.

There were people and kids and strollers all over the Fairgrounds. There were so many people, Rob and I both had problems connecting to the internet with our phones. This made the whole texting-about-supplies thing extra challenging.

The only other time we have experienced our cell service being throttled at a fair due to soooo many people trying to ride on the same towers was last year at the Minnesota State Fair. Yeah, it was pretty crowded today. 

I often forget there are gorgeous trees
on our Fairgrounds. I was grateful for
this view today from a bench I rarely
sit on. It helped me regroup and not cry.

I got to do a few Fair-ish things, but they were shoehorned in, rushed, disjointed. While most nights I end up with about 70-90 photos from the day (after deleting the bad ones), tonight I have a whopping 28 photos to capture a day that had me on the verge of disappointed, annoyed, sad tears a few times. Perhaps fewer photos is better?

I am REALLY bummed I didn’t get to stay in the bleachers and cheer on Taylor’s brother in the auction ring when he brought his piggy to market. Instead, I had to do a boring “add on” which just means I gave the auction office some money to pass along to him after the auction was over. I got to watch about 4 steers being auctioned before I had to dash back to the Gazebo to deal with a Beanie Baby crisis. I'm mad just typing that. These are not the priorities I want to Fair with.

I liked his eyebrows.

I had great plans for this paddle.
DANG IT. And I'm sure the livestock
folks agree.

Rob and I watched about half of the evening Tuff Trucks show before he left to close the Gazebo at 8:00pm. Because the rednecks-and-their-rigs show was so popular, the Grandstands were at capacity. This meant anyone who left wasn’t allowed back in. 

I sat and watched about 30 minutes of the show without Rob. It wasn’t nearly as fun without him. As I sat by myself in a crowd of people, I was sad that my Fair Buddy was stuck outside of the Grandstands because he had to leave to help out the Fair. That's not right, and that's not Fair.

Most of the early entries got stuck in
the mud bog and had to be lifted out.

I desperately hope tomorrow is better. I want my Fair Joy back. I don’t want to leave the Green Gate for the last time tomorrow night filled with disappointment and regret about how I Faired this year. I love my Fair and I love volunteering. But I can't have more days like today.

 

FAIR FOOD FEAST PARADE!

Chicken Quesadilla from the Noodle
Palace. I need to remember to ask
for extra Fiesta Sauce on the side for dipping.
Fantastic breakfast. I couldn't finish it so
I shared it with my Smashers friends.
They might be fans now, too. 

Almost done with my Strawberry Orange
Smasher before I got a photo in the auction
barn. Definitely a new favorite combo.

Free auction popcorn! So buttery
and salty! And much appreciated.

Rhubarb pie from the Church Ladies
Pie Stand. My face says all you need
to know.

I needed some chocolate. This peanut
butter fudge from the fudge stand inside
the Big Air Conditioned Building hit 
the spot. I asked for a "bite sized" piece.
Bigger than I needed but I ate it all.

Chicken Yakisoba Bowl from the 
Noodle Palace, with added Sriracha.
My second time having this, just
as happy with it.

2026 Clark County Fair – Day 8

We’re in the home stretch! We’re exhausted and punchy! All the days are blending together! I have no idea what is happening in the world outside of the Fairgrounds! It’s AWESOME!

After we got the Gazebo opened and the morning shift trained and flying solo, we grabbed Breakfast Milkshakes (fruit, dairy, protein...tell me I'm wrong!), and slunk to the back of the Big Air Conditioned Building to hide and regroup.

Double Strawberry Milkshake with Ghirardelli
Chocolate and Royalty!

We found a lovely, quiet table and we sat there. For about an hour. We spent some time on our phones dealing with life stuff, but mostly we sat quietly, we chatted about next week and next year, and we let the Fair happen without us for a spell. It was a much-needed break that gave us a bit of a second wind. Afterwards, we finally had the time and the mental space to truly go fairing.

The empty booth behind us was a tattoo "parlor"
earlier in the Fair. Not sure what happened to
Poppy's Parlor.

We wandered around the Canning Department. We caught Adam the Great’s Magic Show. We watched some young alpacas learn how to be in the show ring. We sat and listened to two bands on the Community Stage. We rode the Ferris Wheel at sunset. We ate, we chatted with friends, we didn’t rush, we walked down the Midway holding hands. It was exactly what I’ve needed (other than sleep...so much sleep).

Freeze-dried veggies. Aren't they pretty??

The fun finale! Rob later helped Adam
move the table off the stage.
We double as the occasional roadies.

LOOK AT THAT FACE!!!
Dawwwwww!!!

It was so odd watching this band and a prior one.
They were all old guys playing songs I grew up
with. Like they grew up with them, too.
But they were OLD guys.
Ooooh...yikes.

Old people on a Ferris Wheel, having a great
day at the Fair.

As we were leaving the Fairgrounds tonight, we saw a sign announcing that kids under 6 get into the Fair for free the last two days of the Fair. The next two days in the Gazebo are going to be NUTS! Pray for us.

 

FAIR FOOD FEAST PARADE!

The Daily Special of Double Strawberry with
Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce was a delicious
way to start the day.

The Traditional Potato Smasher from
the Raclette Booth (who really needs
a name with some signage). Warm, filling
tasty, filled with ham and cheese and veggies.
Very good, although I think I like the 
Chicken Smasher better. 

More Smashers! I tried a new blend
for the first time -- Strawberry Orange.
I LOVED IT! It was tangy-er than
my favorite Strawberry Mango.
Almost like a Sweet-Tart candy.
I have no idea why I had never tried 
this combo, but it is now top of the
rotation!

Deep Fried Oreo! I shared an order
with Rob. Best way to eat an Oreo,
although this one needed to be a little
warmer. We hadn't been to the Sweet
Cheeks booth in a few years. Our bad.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bowl from the
other (red one) yakisoba noodle place
(the one without the quesadilla). It was
pretty good! Definitely the spiciest thing
I've found in the Food Court. The chicken
was a little overcooked and it didn't have
the scallions that were shown in the photo.
But the spice was definitely there!
Also, I sampled Rob's yakisoba noodles.
We agreed the Noodle Palace is better.

2026 Clark County Fair – Day 7

Oh. My. Word.

I totally forgot today was Kids Day. The day kids under 12 get into the Fair for a reduced price. Today was Crazy Town in the Gazebo. Rob and I are tired beyond tired. I can’t believe it was just this morning - not a week ago - that we left the house early because of road construction. And were delayed by the Amazon driver delivering us the overnight bottle of Tums. Not even kidding.

I'm going to have the sign's saying
put on a t-shirt for next year.
SO much truth.

We considered keeping the bottle in
the car for easy access. Car Tums.
Because Fair.

I’m not sure I can string multiple sentences together in any coherent manner, so we’re going to do a Top 7 List of today’s events. Seven because I’m too exhausted to think of three more to make an even ten.

1. We had not one but two road construction delays on our way to the detours for the other road construction delays we have been slaloming around all summer.

Our detours need detours. SO much
road construction in our area this summer.

2. Marketing Maven Jenny got us a whole bunch of new toys for the Gazebo a la Overnight Amazon. We ran through about 80% of them. My favorite was the punch balloon. I played with it off and on all day, always delighted to demonstrate it for the kids. And adults who were quick to instruct, "NOT in the car."

Very soothing in a very different way than the
whirligig and the serger. Click here for a video.

3. Professor Smart has this ridiculously fun routine where he gets a bunch of kids onstage and they use their voices to break a lightbulb. We learned yesterday that the Professor is having a hard time finding the required incandescent light bulbs. Woodhaven is pretty much all LEDs at this point, so we were thrilled to find a great cause for our stash of old incandescents I couldn’t bear to just throw away. We put the word out on social media to local friends with hope we can get some more bulbs to the Professor before the Fair ends on Sunday. Because we thought having another self-imposed project made sense.

I honestly had no idea we had so many
incandescent lightbulbs!
Click here for a video of how Professor
Smart puts them to fun and educational use!

4. I got another delicious old-timey sandwich at the Church Ladies Pie Stand, this time for breakfast. We chatted with one of the ladies who shared that their sales tend to increase over the course of the Fair each year, as folks who are at the Fair every day get weary of all the grease and sugar. Also, the stand does great on Senior Day (Wednesday) since the Fairgoers with all the dietary restrictions are their key demographic.

Even the aprons say "Afterschool snack
made by mom!" Also, I got the recipe for 
their delicious sandwich spread. The 
not-so-secret ingredient is dill pickle juice.
No wonder I love it!

5. The Mars Exploration exhibit is pretty underwhelming. Kids were playing miniature golf (not sure how that was Martian) and enjoying the enormous planet-themed bounce house. Rob and I plan to see if grown-ups are allowed turns in the small excavator-claw-thingy to simulate moving Martian rocks around. Otherwise, the rest of the inflatables and computerized exhibits about rocks and gases were either broken or required an app or had a talking robot providing directions at such a low volume in the noisy hall that it was impossible to figure out the task and the lesson.

The best thing about the Mars Exploration exhibit is they have a collection of tables and chairs in the corner that are a much quieter alternative to eating in the Food Court. All week, Rob and I have been saying sentences like, “Wanna eat in Mars?” and “I’ll find a table in Mars” and “Meet ya in Mars with napkins.”

I have no idea what the inflatable
tunnel was supposed to be. The whole
exhibit was just confusing.
And yes, puppy dog balloon earrings!

6. We were thrilled our friend Taylor wanted to help us out in the Gazebo for a few hours this afternoon! We met Taylor a couple of years ago in the Pig Barn. She had 4-H Pigs and was so fun to talk to! I waved our paddle around for her during the livestock auction a few days later. We now make sure to find each other when the pigs arrive during the second half of the Fair. Taylor aged out of 4-H but she’s onsite this year supporting her younger brother. She knows a lot about the Fair, so she was a HUGE help in the whackadoodle Gazebo this afternoon. Thanks a TON, Taylor! 

Please volunteer next year, Taylor!

7. We are so very tired.

Oy.

Three more days to go…

 

FAIR FOOD FEAST PARADE!

Desperately missing unsweetened
bubbles. Cherry Spindrift from home.

Delicious Turkey Sandwich from the 
Church Ladies Pie Stand. Rob noted
the sandwich spread recipe in his 
phone while one of the nice ladies
rattled it off. Can't wait to see if 
I can replicate it in the off-season!

Strawberry Mango Smasher! 
My favorite. And I love the study
cup for water refills the rest of the day.

Free Twizzler licorice for being a
subscriber to our local newspaper.
I turned down the coffee mug because
I was feeling snackish.

Parmesan Basil Waffle Fries from the
Bahn Mi stand at the southeast end
of the Food Court. The Basil Sauce
is FANTASTIC. It paired wonderfully
with the Parmesan cheese. The waffle
fries were honestly a little overcooked.
I enjoyed this because I love the basil
sauce, but I would have been happier
with less crispy fries.

I planned to get a brownie but they
had walnuts in them, so I got a 
chocolate chocolate chip cookie
instead. They aren't homemade, but
the little cookies at the stand in the
middle of the Food Court selling 
Nathan's hot dogs are a great snack.

Super bummed the Lions Booth isn't 
selling chicken strips this year. I tried
these chicken strips from the Demolay
booth. Not bad! Chicken was moist and 
the batter had some flavor. I totally forgot
to get my favorite Fair dipping sauce
of Ranch dressing mixed with Sriracha.
I had the BBQ packets instead. I enjoyed the
chicken strips, but I had to take 3 Tums
when we got home. Should have kept
the bottle in the car.