First Fair Impressions

OK, I know I said I wasn’t going to write daily. And I won’t. But I’ve given myself 30 minutes to write and post some first impressions of Our Day at the Fair.  So here we go!

Folks, we have a Fair!

I was honestly a bit nervous about what we would find today at the Fairgrounds. I have seen lots of calls on social media for Fair employees and contest entries and food vendors – calls far later in the season and far more often than I’ve ever seen before. I had heard that some favorite food folks would not be returning, and others being given much more space than ever before because, well, it was available. We knew some of our 4-H friends wouldn’t be participating this year – some have aged out, others have moved onto other passions. So I was concerned I would see a lot of empty space and absences and gaping holes today.

And, well, yeah, there are definitely some things missing.  Like a whole llotta llamas. And a couple bee-infused snow cone huts. And canning entries.

But there are still livestock animals. And rides. And Dock Dogs. And concerts in the Grandstands. And milkshakes. And the old timey Dixieland jazz band. And 4-H kids trotting around in club t-shirts. And the fun Fair employee with the crazy hats who drives a tractor around the fairgrounds. And our favorite magician. And corn. And Smashers. And friends.

When Rob and I entered the Fairgrounds with just about 5 minutes to spare for our free-entry tickets, I did not expect the emotions of the moment to hit me so hard and so quickly.  I mean, we’ve faired a bit already, right?  But not at My Fair.

As we walked from the Yellow Gate after posing for a “We’re HERE!” selfie with a sheep in the background, I realized I was crying. Tears flowed gently as I overheard excited kids and happy parents deciding which animal barn to visit next…and I smelled the fresh hay…and I saw BBQ smoke drifting in the distance.

I asked Rob to take a quick detour with me into the cow barn. We entered and stood silently as I listened to the mooing and smelled that desperately-missed blend of hay and earth and livestock. I took off my sunglasses to wipe away the tears. Yes, we have been to some fairs in the past couple of years.  But not My Fair.

All the elements of My Beloved Fair are still there.  Bless you, Fair People.  Yes, it’s a little muted, but I could see and sense the hard work of the past two unpredictable years to put together a celebration and a return to something normal even in the midst of not a lot of normal. Thank you, Fine Fair Folks. A sincere and deep thank you.