Meet me at the Fair

I know I said that I would probably get around to blogging about my summer in December, but I didn't actually think it would take until December, but here we are...

I grew up going to a certain state fair my whole life. My grandparents started taking my dad when he was a baby, and have been ever since. So, this is a 60 year old family tradition. This fair is most likely larger than any fair you have ever been to. I actually think there are only a few bigger ones than this one.

On one side of the fair there are acres and acres of camping. So, we go and camp. This was probably one of my most favorite traditions growing up, and I still look forward to it every year. Isn't that so funny? A state fair?

I thought that when I was going to do this post I would scan in old photos of me at the fair, but I just don't feel like it.

When I was younger, the majority of my Grandma's siblings would come to the fair, and some of their children would come to the fair with their children. It was basically a family reunion. I probably wouldn't even know most of that side of the family had it not been for the fair. I have such great memories at the fair; playing Rummy with my second and third cousins under a canopy as it rained, greeting my great uncle, Howard, with a, "howd-do?" in the mornings, riding the tractor buggy around the campgrounds endlessly with some of my cousins because the drivers were cute high school/college boys, fried biscuits and gravy for breakfast (what? you don't eat those??), skipping with my grandpa (and hurting him doing so), going to a Firehouse concert with my cousin, and seat hopping to avoid being next to the people drinking and smoking pot, my sister throwing up on my head while I slept, meeting cute (well, I thought so then) boys and becoming pen pals, everyone getting in my grandpa's bed in the mornings, embarrassing my grandparents at the rodeo with my heckling calls, this list could go on and on.

It is fun introducing the fair to people. I think all the brother in laws like it more than the sister in laws. John loves it - he also loves the giant corn dogs he gets to eat. I had to show John how to handle all the Carnies - he wasn't very good at it, and I've had practice almost every summer of my life. It's also fun to see how the next generation will handle the fireworks. Some of the grandkids have been deathly afraid. This year during the fireworks I was so exhausted that I dozed off.

There's lots of food to choose from at the fair. After having been my whole life, we know where all the best prices are on the fairgrounds.

At the fair this year was when I first realized I was probably pregnant. I wasn't feeling good, and one day I really needed some comfort food and went in search of some. I saw a sign for macaroni and cheese, and belly said, "yes, please." I went to the counter and asked, "What kind of macaroni and cheese do you sell? It's not from a box is it?" The man laughed and said, "No, we make it fresh every morning." So, I ordered some. The man yelled behind him, "One order of mac and cheese, and make it a good one, we have a macaroni and cheese connoisseur out here." I laughed. When I moved to the next window to get my order the man at that window asked, "Could I recommend a good wine to go with your macaroni?" Too funny.

It's also so fun to introduce my children to the fair, and watch them enjoy the same things you did as a kid. Almost all year long last year Trevan asked, "When are we going to go camping with Papa and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa." He remembered from the year before and loved it!

Trevan and his cousins Kate, and Sophie on a ride.

The past two years I have actually paid to do a booth under the craft pavilion. The only down side is that I have to sit there all day, and I miss seeing my kids and every one else have fun. If I do it next year, I'm paying someone else to sit there half the time.

There are only five of the grand kids missing from this picture.

A rare, precious photo of my Grandma laughing. We don't get many of these.

My grandparents have had quite the assortment of campers/motor homes over the years, that they have basically used only for the fair.

My dad and his parents.

My Grandpa is seriously one of my very most favorite people in the entire world.

Hey there, Granny.

We had just put up the majority of the tents, and a major downpour started.

I let my kids play in the rain until the lightning started.

Mallary was in heaven.

A nice puddle started to form on the plastic.

I think Mallary thought it was time to go swimming.

After I changed her clothes, I put her in the car to wait until we left the fair and she was asleep in five minutes.

That's how it is every year. The kids are asleep before even driving off of the fair grounds.

As a kid, the saddest day was leaving the fair. I hated it. I think I cried every year when I left the fair. Even as a single adult I hated to leave. Still, it's sad to leave - but now it's more so the thought of going home and having to unpack.

The thing is, the fair is always a fun time with family, and it's always sad when the fun ends. The fair is held in August, and when you are driving home from the fair, it's almost like a farewell to all the summer fun.

Until next year...

Photos compliments of my sister, Candi