State Fair Time Again

Our State Fair started on Friday. For me, this is a thing one must do and a highlight of summer. Then again, I like simple things.

Yesterday was hot and humid which is not unusual for August. We’ve been luck the last couple of years but you can’t dodge the triple H days (Hazy, Hot and Humid) forever. So we arrive super early and only spent a few hours there because we have plans to go back one other time. There is really too much to see in a single day so planning for a couple of trips is the way to go. That way, you don’t feel like you have to get everything done in one day.

Everyone has their own reasons for going. We have no interest in any of the Midway rides and stuff. That’s for the young ones. And we really don’t go in for the worst of the food. Not to say that we make healthy choices but we tend to skip the whole sweet side of things. I’ve had deep fried oreos before and it just wasn’t something I want to do every year.

We mainly go for the animals. I don’t know why farm animals have such an appeal but they do. Stopped to watch some pig judging. Have no idea what the guy was looking for but it was fun to watch these kids try and herd their pigs around the ring. Obviously stopped in the cattle barn to walk through and look at the cows. Watched some the goat judging as well. Not as crazy about goats but they are better than chickens.

It doesn’t stop me from spending money for the opportunity to feed other goats. Three cups of sliced carrots for $5. Pretty steep but it sucks me in each time. Got to wonder how much the goats actually eat in a week because there are always a few that seem super hungry when they see the carrots. Then again, my cat would eat all day if let him so it’s probably also true of goats.

The one change I’m not a fan of is that they moved the vegetables to a different location. I guess they wanted the space for the annoying people who rent booths and try to sell you things (like cookware). So the vegetables and other farm produce get tucked away in the front of another building and it kind of looks like an after thought. Yes, I’m one of those who likes to look at the tallest corn stalk.

Plus the vegetables just reminds me of the couple of years when we had a garden and actually entered some stuff in our county fair. Won quite a few ribbons as well. One of the farmers we buy stuff from at the farmer’s market got a blue ribbon in something so now we can say we are getting the best of the state.

There’s a section where they have some old farm equipment which I find interesting because I kind of like thinking about what life was like in early generations. Plus you can compare them to the ultra modern equipment that is for sale in another location.

If the weather forecast is accurate, our next visit should be in cooler weather. Still summer like but not as humid as Sunday. Already looking forward to it.