Monday, August 24, 2009

It's Fair

After going to the county and state fairs in Oregon, Washington, and California for so many years, I wonder if I'll tire of wandering through commercial buildings, around the craft, garden, and collections displays,

and along the main refreshment thoroughfare.

The Ventura County Fair drew us this year as the fairs have done every year.
Yes, there were fried Snickers and fried Twinkies, but I resisted. I had already eaten half of that strawberry and whipped cream funnel cake.
I learned early in my fair going career that although I still enjoy watching the ferris wheel make its revolutions, I am quickly bored with the rides and games. Carnies are carnies wherever they're peddling their wares and entertainments.

But I'm always up for the tractors and livestock. The fairs, after all, focus on the local economy, and there is still an agricultural presence in most counties in the West Coast states.


No, I haven't tired of spending a day at the fair yet. I don't think I ever will.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds super fun!! Don't think I will ever get tired of any fairs :P

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Allie said...

That does sound fun! I love those old bottles! So pretty!

The Curious Cat said...

Fried twinkie? How does that work!? xxx

Anonymous said...

Ooo were they lupin goats? Love their colour.

The Royal Welsh Show is more agricultural than rides and noise but after the days of foot and mouth disease, they diversified and the food tent is very important now as well as the littl stalls at the other end of the show ground. It's still a place for the farmers to socialise and see new machinery. I like seeing the different breeds best.

Beth Leintz said...

Your last picture immediately brought back that smell of (usually) fresh hay as I walked through the 4-H livestock barns at the fair. Good memory.

roxie said...

Love visiting the fairs. Don't ever want to work them ever, ever again! Ever!!

Clarity said...

Those animals are so sweet. Although I won't keep pets I am always warmed by looking at animals, including farm ones. If I ever fall in love, "he" must be kind to animals.

Those bottles at the top whispered one word "Apothecary". I am intrigued by the strawberry and cream funnel cake though - pictures please?

ellen b. said...

Maybe next year I'll make it to a fair. I think I'd prefer a small fair. It's amazing what people will fry! :0)

Heidi said...

Our fair may be going on this week, I better check that out before I miss it again- like I did last year, after waiting all summer for it to arrive.

Your bottle picture is wonderful!

Mama Mia said...

Ahhh.... summer fairs! I can almost smell the kettle corn, sun screen, and cotton candy. :o) Nice pictures!

Lovella ♥ said...

Oh so fun. . .a fair is a fair. . .I can recall the year I won a blue ribbon for our cat. . .I was shocked. .
I'm hungry for funnel cakes now. . .I just might try to make them.

karen said...

Are those goats cuddling? The one on the left looks more like a deer! They are sooo cute!

Knitting Linguist said...

You make me feel tempted to go to our fair next year!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

My husband and I always manage to argue at agricultural fairs...it has turned into a tradition (which we joke about). He wants to look at the animals and I'm always looking for the nearest cappucino. (Hard to find in Northumberland or Cumbria - especially at a show!)

Flower said...

We skip the games and rides.... and don't miss the animals, food and 4H building! It sparks the end of summer. We are glad you got to go!!

marilyn.mchardy said...

My favorite Fair memory is of a Clydesdales(at least 'farm' horses) "Pull" one year in my youth and later of a "Tractor Pull" (Centre County, PA). Did you happen to come across such at Ventura County? The faint of heart cannot see the strain on a tractor's heart, so preferred the latter.

Tracy said...

All the fun of the fair...hooray! I never tire of fairs either...Also a very wonderful fall thing--like change and back-to-school ;o) Happy Day, Willow... thanks for taking us along with you. ((HUGS))

Shrinky said...

Nor me (smile). Some beautiful pictures here of what was obviously a lovely day out. Thanks for taking us along.

Laurie said...

I seldom ride a ferris wheel because I can't stop focusing on the gears and wheels and how...how..how flimsy it all looks, and what was that noise, and how long is this ride anyway, and remember to breath in and out...you get the picture. But I love looking at the rides and displays at fairs.

Rosaria Williams said...

I loved fairs and festivals when we lived in Woodland Hills. Our favorite was the L.A. County Fair in Pomona, and the Strawberry Festival in Camarillo. We had so much fun when the kids were little; and listened to so many musical groups. With little ones, fairs are the best entertainment for your money.

Besides, you get to talk and hear all kinds of stories while waiting for rides, for food, walking through displays.

Thanks for such wonderful reminders.

Rosaria Williams said...

Willow, you don't have a follower gadget. How does one follow you?

Jientje said...

That looks like a fun place to visit!