Autumn in Fairfield county ushers in beautiful countryside. As the trees on the rolling hills begin to change their hues, spectators from far and near travel our roads and by-ways to experience the breath-taking views. I am among those spectators. Each year I look at the foliage as if I had never seen it before. However, autumn also hails an additional, equally exiting, seasonal opportunity ... the Fairfield County Fair. The last county fair of the season, the Fairfield County Fair is extraordinary. Set against the backdrop of Rising Park and Mount Pleasant, the fair grounds are as spacious and beautiful as any park. The trustees of the grounds maintain pristine buildings erected over 100 years ago.
Excitement and anticipation mount a week before as I drive down Fair Avenue and watch as the fair comes together bit by bit. A display here, a tent there, a trailer carting one of the rides arrives at various times. Finally preview Sunday arrives and the week long fair begins.
We are greeted on the grounds by enthusiastic workers who help us park our car ... and if only they could offer the same courtesy in helping us find the vehicle later! In a crecendo, the sights and smells of the fair in progress greet us. In the distance I can hear the grandstand speakers ... and I feel certain it is the same man who announced second-by-second when I was a child ~ and he seemed over 100 years old then! 4-H students are all over the place grooming and shouting commands at their livestock, children squeal on the rides, adults greet each other joyously as the meet again. The atmosphere has a peculiar mixture of aromas which include typical barn smells along with all the cotton candy, Italian sausages and elephant ears ... and a smell of old buildings ~ a sense of permanence and endurance.
As I said, we never, NEVER miss Tuesday and the draft horse pull and the mule races, although we had to miss the mule race this year. First the light weights, and then they heavy weights, the teams of horses and men display the working relationship between the power of horses and guidance of man. It is beautiful to watch. We ate our rib eye sandwich from the Cattlemen Association, sat on the new stadium seats, stood for the National Anthem and watched the competition before us.I have long admired the draft horse. I found it difficult to choose a favorite. All of them were my favorite and I was, then, pleased when my favorite won! This particular team took second place.
Needing to take a walk after the horse pull, we toured the art hall. I enjoy perusing all the entries ~ various sewing and needle work project; garden fruits, vegetables and flowers; pictures, sketches, painting; pies, cakes, candy and canning. Cakes amaze me. Not having the skill of cake decorating myself, I am amazed at the various cakes which exhibit such creativity with icing. We had to locate Sarah's first cake entry ~ she did a great job. And, the lady bug cake took my eye because I thought Margaret would enjoy it.
Following the art hall, it is down the midway to watch kids on rides, eat various "fair foods", tour well-known buildings, check out all the exhibitors and chat with friends.
This year we limited ourselves to minimal "fair food" ... I guess we all reach that age. After the rib eye sandwich from the Cattlemen Association, we split a sugar waffle and had a cider slushy from Hugus Farm.
Then, we toured the various animal barns.
This little guy reminded me of a little girl and a rabbit named Blackie.
This team did a demonstration on the track. They were poetry in motion and brought tears to my eyes.
The day is now over and it is time to head to Latin Class. It has been a good day at the fair. The weather was sunny, clear and just the right temperature ~ not too hot, not too cool. We make one last trip to the midway where we locate Jimmy Jawbreaker and eat our sadwich seated under a tree.
All I can say is ...
Wish you were here!
