Fairs

[Mr. DS]

It seems across the US and not to mention the world people love a good fair.  There are several types out there so I figured we could open the discussion ranging from County Fairs all the way through Renaissance Faires.  

Growing up we'd go every year to The Big E, or Eastern States Exposition in Western, MA.  

http://www.thebige.com/

It was pretty much the same old sh!t every year with the same old set up.  However, we wouldn't miss it.  Sometimes I'd take a day off of school to go for the day.  The food was always great and they had a french fry vendor there that made unbelievably amazing fries. They also had rides, games, shows and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.  I took several years off after getting married/having kids but I hope to go again some time soon.  

In my area, every year local churches throw a bazaar which people flock to.  Granted its about three or four rickety rides and a bunch of overprice games but we still flock there.  

One thing I actually didn't dig was King Richard's Faire out in MA.  Its a Reconnaissance Faire idea which I'm just ok with.   If dressing up is your thing more power to you but I just didn't get into too much.  I do have friends who live for this sort of thing though.

[Jack]

Funny, I was just thinking about the fair we go to each year, about 30 miles from here.  Your typical small town county fair, a bunch of rides that were thrown up in about 12 hours, makes them MUCH more exciting wondering if they remembered to put all the bolts in.  The smell of the fair - spilled beer, popcorn, cotton candy, deep fried everything and the greatest of all things upon the face of the earth - cheese curds!  My wife and I have (quite) a few beers, the kids get a bit out of hand, usually there's some raised voices involved.  Wouldn't miss it for the world 

[Trevor]

A bunch of rides that were thrown up in about 12 hours, makes them MUCH more exciting wondering if they remembered to put all the bolts in.

+ 

The last time I was at a fair was in Bloemfontein at the Volksblad Art festival in July last year where a part of the University of the Free State campus is set aside for stalls, rides, etc. July is winter here but the cold added to the fun. Just a pity that I won't be going there this year as it would have been nice, but when film festival sponsors withdraw, that's it unfortunately.

[Silverlady]

Going to the West End Car Show in the town of Gilbert, PA tomorrow. It's their 15th year, but our 3rd time going.  It's a small sized FAIR with oldie cars!  Typical foods are popcorn, funnel cakes, italian sausage, perogies, ice cream and pizza among other things.  There will be vendors selling all kinds of crap, and entertainment like jugglers and face painters.

In our neck of the woods (northeast PA) we have a lot of festivals (another name for fair) in the summer and fall. We have a garlic festival, Greek and Italian festivals, Celtic, and lumberjack (with log rolling) which I can recall offhand. 

Then there are the really big Fairs - like the Bloomsburg Fair, Kutztown,  West End.  These are the ones with the cows, sheep, farm equipment, food and flea market vendors, and live demonstrations of say ... glass blowing, making soap and candles and the like.

It's a fun way to spend an afternoon.   

[Trevor]

There will be vendors selling all kinds of crap

Would that be good crap, bad crap or can I just use it for my lawn? 

[Andrew]

Delaware is such a small state that we can always go to the Delaware State Fair.  It has the normal cadre of games and food choices, and is also big for things like a baking, livestock, and produce competitions.  We grew up in a fairly rural area, so it's a fun afternoon with the children. 

[Derf]

There's a big Renaissance Fair in Plantersville, Texas, that we try to get to every few years. I'm not really into the dressing up in period costume stuff, but it is something different and interesting that takes me completely out of my day-to-day life, so it's good and I enjoy going.

In the various small and smallish towns I've lived in there have been fairs/festivals that I've attended. I grew up with the Boll Weevil Festival in my home town, celebrating the conquering of the boll weevil in our cotton fields. We had a Boll Weevil Queen, a parade, and lots of craft booths and little games for the kids. This was also where I was introduced to funnel cakes, one of life's greatest joys. 

In my college town, there was the Fire Ant Festival, though I'm not sure exactly what that was all about. I only went once, but they had a big parade, including people dressed up like fire ants. Go figure.

In Manhattan, Kansas, there was the Dog Days Festival, celebrating the fact that it got freaking hot in August. Yay! But it was a college town, so any excuse to party was good enough. And yes, there were funnel cakes.

In the area, we celebrate with Buc Days, a big festival/carnival with a piratey name; Shrimporee, a fair to celebrate seafood; BayFest, another big carnival/festival; and WindFest, celebrating the fact that South Texas (not to mention South Texans) is windy.

[lester1/2jr]

with their secretaries or neighbors. women with their trainer