Searing sun, temperatures looming at 93 degrees, and humidity that makes me want to melt…that’s how the last few weeks have been. And since I was “born to garden” I’m up and outside early, then waiting until sundown to wrap up summertime chores. I never seem to have enough hours in the day, but then, maybe my list is just a little too long. Oh well, on the good side, I’m burning calories!
Now that it’s September, it’s easy to notice as soon as the sun begins to fade, the sights and sounds of a new season are beginning. It seems as if overnight the soybeans are turning yellow and the stalks of field corn are golden. The first crimson leaves are appearing and a chorus of crickets means one thing: fall is near. And while it’s a busy time, autumn is certainly a joyful time. Chatting with the neighbors, everyone is grateful that the crops have grown strong in spite of summer’s extreme heat and intense rain. Soon the rumble of combines and grain dryers will be heard both day and night; the sound of a successful harvest.
Along with the change of seasons comes the excitement of fair time…and we don’t miss that, no matter what the weather! To me, simple country fairs celebrate the best parts of rural living…family, community, livestock, fun, laughter, and the friendly competition for a coveted blue ribbon.
Our county fair is on a hillside, and each year we follow the same plan: begin at the top where all the animal barns and merchant buildings are, work our way down to the rides, swing by to see who’s performing at the grandstand, and then wander over to the tractor pull. And well, of course, we never say no to the food!
I can’t explain it, but there’s just something special about the fair…it’s a feeling and an excitement we never outgrow. It’s the hope of winning a ribbon, watching the spinners & weavers working at their craft, cheering on excited kids as they show their animals in competition, and running into friends & neighbors along the way. It’s a simple pleasure, only found in late summer.
A county fair brings families together…
When the kids were younger, they showed llamas through 4H. Families sat on the edge of their seats for hours as judges inspected each animal. The arena would be completely silent, well, except for the sound of llamas humming if they were content. But more often, they would be jumping or twisting, showing their objection to the whole event. Clearly, they would rather be back on the farm. The days were long…showmanship, halter, pack, and obstacle course judging stretched into a 7 hour day. But no worries…the memories are sweet and the scrapbooks show tired, but smiling faces.
A county fair sparks joy…
a goose on the loose
wiggly piglets
yum, fair food!
clever decorations
and astonishment at the winning pumpkin…530 pounds!
A county fair inspires dreams…
of vintage tractors…
(yes, please!)
handmade quilts…
(a little winter project?)
old-fashioned crafts
(I need to dust off my tabletop loom)
and of having one of these sweet beauties to call my own!
A county fair makes us nostalgic…
wagons and farm tools remind us of our county’s history
as does a step back in time walking through an early cabin
and delighting in colorful vintage displays
You know, I think the heart of a county fair isn’t just about celebrating the harvest, but about all the people. It’s hearing the laughter of children, the snappy toe tapping to fiddle music, and families cheering over a hard-won blue ribbon. It’s the imaginative designs that inspire us, and the hard restoration work on a 1949 Farmall Cub that make us think, yes, we can tackle that!
And no matter whether it’s a gathering as small as a county fair or as rambling as the state fair; when we come back home, we bring a little of that magic with us…all the good things of the season. Those simple pleasures that make our hearts happy.
So tell me Sisters, what are your favorite things about the fair? Farm animals? Arts & crafts? Merchant buildings? Maybe it’s a footlong corn dog or cotton candy, or maybe a sit down meal of homecooked favorites in the church tent. I’d love to know more about the fairs in your hometown!
Enjoy September Farmgirls, and I’ll see you next month, with more “tails” from the farm!
I’ve never been to a fair, believe it or not! I would enjoy the agriculture displays, but not so much the food and rides. Looks like there’s something for everyone! Love the pillows!
Ahhhh….you’ve captured the memories – sights, sounds, smells and joys of summer county fair so adeptly (although I would venture to say that your fair offers much more interesting displays and exhibits than ours ever have). Each year, mid-August, my thoughts wander to the fairs (being rural, we were mid-way between two separate counties). As a children, we were unable to participate in 4-H (only 1 vehicle in the family and farm chores needing doing) but, each year, we worked extra diligently (sometimes earning up to a nickel for each (LONG!) row of garden weeded) to earn spending money for our one night at the fair. A few rides, some cheese curds, a corn dog, a monkey tail…and burgers and fries at the church food stand on our way out for the night. I’ve not been to a fair in decades – not since my son was little – but my thoughts turn to those memories each year. I’d love to go again – if only for the food…but it’s not a place to go alone.
It’s a wonderful feeling of tradition, and of people coming together. Our local fair is being held later this week. X
We just finished the fair here and we love it! I always try to enter a few things, this year I had flowers, handmade cards and a quilt. I won ribbons on everything although not all blue it’s still fun! We love the fair food and the horse pull and Dress A Cow contest. Our church has the Sunday morning service in the Family tent which is always so good and my husband and I help at one of the entrance gates during the week. We are ready to relax when it’s all done😊
Our fairs start in early October. We usually get to at least on.
There is something about a fair it brings everyone out and there is so much to see,hear, and eat.
County fairs in Indiana are in June and July. I started out with 4-H as a kid and have stayed active with the program ever since as a leader. I was our county Foods leader for 11 years, our township assistant leader (leading all types of workshops at the schools) for several years, and have been a county dog leader for many years teaching obedience and agility workshops every Tuesday March through August. Our Indiana State Fair wrapped up two weeks ago and we had a number of our dog club members participate in the state 4-H dog show on August 23. My husband got dragged into 4-H when we got married and has served on several committees including buildings and grounds for over 40 years. All three kids were 10-year 4-H members and two granddaughters were active in 4-H, with the second one set to do her 10th year next year.
We love the county fair. Ours is the only one in the state with no carnival so it is all about the kids and their projects. We know lots and lots of families who are active in 4-H, many who, like us, have been involved for generations. Even though we work a lot of events at the fair, we also go just to eat and see people and see the kids show. We do also have a Homemakers (or open) show for flowers, quilts, and some other things that I enjoy seeing. Our State Fair is always fun so we go one day just to see the things my husband and I like – 4-H, horticulture, garden produce, fine arts, quilts, antiques, a large pioneer area with crafts, antique tractors, and bands, and animals. Our dance group dances twice during the state fair and the last two days are the dog show.