Yesterday we went to the State Fair. This is the first State Fair that we have been to in 21 years. The first fair we’ve been to in 16 years. We were armed with old memories and expectations, and we found things to be a bit different that we thought they would be. I’m not sure if fairs have changed, we’ve changed or this fair just isn’t like the other’s we’ve been to. It is probably a little of all three. There were a lot less displays and assorted vendors than we expected to see but overall we had a good time and we are glad we went.

The sun was blazing and it was a fairly warm day. Temperatures were in the mid 90s while were there. This alone made the fair a very different experience for us. We were use to cool crisp autumn air as we strolled the fairgrounds. Not this time.

We got there around 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon.  There aren’t a lot of people there at that time. The whole fair had a deserted feel to it. If I were younger I would say that part of the excitement was gone with the missing crowds but I’m older now and can really appreciate being able to stroll through an uncrowded hall. Besides, did I mention it was hot? It would have been misserable shuffling along in a mob.This was one difference that I was happy to embrace.

It didn’t take long for Relciner Man to find the Fried Bread stand and again the missing crowds were a blessing because there was no waiting and empty space at the shaded picnic table.

The Fried Bread here is a little different than the Fried Dough we’ve had back east. The eastern version is a little thicker, fluffier, and more like a pastry. The differences didn’t seem to matter because we had no trouble enjoying this.

See that? That is the face of a happy man.

But seriously, where are all the people?

Look, there are people! But ignore them for now because I want to talk about what is behind them. You see these at all fairs,  the remnants of old fashion side shows where you could pay a fee to look at a freak of nature. These days they don’t usually offer you bearded ladies, living skeletons and wolf boys. Now they offer you a Giant Steer, a Giant Horse, a Giant Pig and a Giant Alligator. Honestly, who would pay a dollar to see a big cow? Would would you? Would Anyone? Why, yes they would! We actually saw a family for four paying their hard earned money to go into each of these shows. They must not get out of the city much.

Awwww, isn’t that sweet? Recliner Man made a new friend at the petting zoo.  I do have to say that this is the first petting zoo I’ve been to that didn’t smell like a farm yard. They did a great job keeping it clean. What else was nice is that as you leave the barn there was a washing stand with sinks and soap so you could clean up before you went out and ate some of the yummy fair food. OMG! I almost didn’t notice.. PEOPLE!

Speaking of cleaning up, they had the best outdoor bathrooms that I’ve ever seen at a fair. They were actual free standing bathrooms with air conditioning, a sink and mirror and a real flush toilet. And there was no waiting…. because there were no people!

See what I mean? No people. On a side note, the swings were one of my favorite rides when I was a kid and we would go to the Ledyard Fair every September.

Smells are a powerful thing. Oh stop, that isn’t what I was going to say! Most of the livestock was gone by the time we got to the fair so those smells were minimal. It was the smell of a CLEAN barn that caught my attention. It immediately brought me back to my grandfather’s barn in Odell, Nebraska. It was a place I loved to explore as a child. I haven’t been there since I was a teenager but one whiff of the straw and livestock and I was right there, 10 years old,  sitting on a bale and playing with the wild kittens.It was a golden moment.

This one is just for Kim. Everyone else can keep moving. Keep moving, there’s nothing to see here, move along.

We enjoyed watching a presentation by a group of Native American dancers. Isn’t the kid in the front a cutie? He was doing the ring dance. He is 10 years old and was darn close to being as good as a champion adult that we had seen earlier.

This is a Fancy Dancer. Hey mister, could you slow down just a little? My shutter speed can’t keep up with you.

A little slower, please.

Much better. Thank you.

We indulged in another of Recliner Man’s favorites – Corn Dogs. While eating we sat in the shade and enjoyed the music from this cover band.

The only problem with visiting the fair in the afternoon is that we were then headed home in rush hour traffic. Ah, now I know where all the people were.