Growing up in So. Calif. we had a pretty good size fair. Every year I would look forward to the rides, cotton candy, & my cousins John & David coming up to go with me to the fair. I always looked forward to spending time with John & David. But of course, my mom would want to go for those ‘boring’ exhibits. Like quilts, baked goods, all canning goods such as jams & jellies. Then of course there was the animal exhibits; cows, pigs, goats, sheep, etc. Boy, did they smell after a few days. My mom always looked forward to the exhibits more then anything. She would say it is for one to show their fruits from their labor. Fruits, veggies, sewing quilts, raising animals. This is really why a county fair was started. To celebrate one’s harvest, and or labor for a job or hobby.
In my ‘early’ adult years, I started going to Waco, Texas’ County Fair, with my other cousins Shelly & Dennis. I loved every minute of those fairs and visits as well. In Texas the fairs were more focus on rodeos, cattle, horsemanship, etc., I fell in love with those aspects of the county fairs as well. Of course, again going with my dear cousins.
Now, I find myself loving the same aspects that my mom loves, the traditional aspects. Showing & entering the ‘fruits of one labor’. Touring the actual exhibits. And smelling those stinky animals. I love it all. Of course, riding a ride or two always adds to the excitement. It is amazing how childhood memories make you smile, think of where you were exactly when you smell a certain smell, or taste some fresh spun cotton candy. I do so hope that my children can remember with a smile their childhood memories of certain places, smells, and tastes. I pray that they have sweet memories of family members, look forward to making new memories, along with doing traditional ones as well.
Long live county fairs!
THANK YOU!