Not much comes close to the anticipation, excitement and adventures a person can have when the 4-H county fair rolls around in July.
It reminds me of the final month of the Major League Baseball season. Teams in the hunt turn things up a notch to reach the playoffs.
For a year, 4-H members have been working hard on their projects.
The fair is the pinnacle.
Some will have the satisfaction of earning grand champion or reserve grand champion honors. That brings along a trip to represent the county in the state fair. Others will win best in class. And others will be left with the motto of Chicago Cubs fans, "Wait till next year."
For many, the county fair is the social event of the summer.
You will see people you have not seen in a year, or maybe several years. Some folk even comeback to the fair after being away for many years.
You find out there have been changes.
Farming has become as high tech as everything else and raising livestock is now made easier with modern gains.
But then you see the farm kids still kill the time between prepping animals for show by playing cards.
Euchre is one of many card games that the kids play to pass the time while they are taking care of and/or/watching their animals, especially in very hot and humid conditions. Uno is another card game favorite. Make sure to have a cold six pack of your favorite cola, too.
If you don't like the cola, mosey over to the lemon shakeup stand for a tasty treat that is only rivaled by sweet tea.
Handheld computer games and smart phones also have helped cut through the boredom.
Another amazing feature of a county fair is the number of old-time farmers who will wear their blue jeans, even when the temperature hits 90-plus degrees and the humidity makes the heat index reach 100-plus degrees.
I am told by a friend, a former 4-Her and long time fair judge, some of these veterans have graduated to shorts. That is especially true on a day they do not have to weigh-in animals or the day of the show in the big arena.
"But you know those farmers, old habits die hard," my friend told me.
Another old habit is making a trip to the commercial tent.
This is the tent you want to visit if you need a nail file, miniature Frisbee, bag of popcorn, sign up to win free facial or estimate on new windows.
One of the holy grails in this tent are the Republican and Democratic party displays. This is especially true in an election year. The goodies are better when people are up for election.
There are pens, notepads, recipes and so many more trinkets. Make sure you get a bag.
Making a trek into the commercial tent should be done in the evening. That is when the serious bling is given out as the crowd of fair goers explodes since work is done.
As one booth representative explained it. The first booth at each entrance could give you a baggie to help secure your treasures.
These county fairs are also a great place to see the family be celebrated.
A person can have a gazillion cousins involved, from first-year member to parents who were 4-Hers.
County fairs are like family reunions, In fact, some extended families could fill the pork producer food tent two times over.
Along with the family theme comes the pride in workmanship.
As you go from building to building and livestock barns looking at entries in the fair, you see that there is hope younger generations will take the reins and lead when it becomes their turn.
It is amazing when you discover many kids do several projects as well as show animals, which reminds me.
Make sure to stop in the arena and watch the judging.
You will be amazed at the effort put in by the 4-Hers
A bonus is the commentary at the end of each class/division by the judges. You get some great detail and insight into how they judge.
A day at the fair is entertaining for the older crowd while fun for the youngsters.
It is the perfect way to celebrate the midway point of summer vacation.
No comments:
Post a Comment