Every year our little local town, a small town with a big heart, hosts a local fair. 
The Fair has been going on for more than 160 years now. The side shows are deliciously gaudy and the food is inedible on the street, but that is what it is all about and there is a whole hall filled with pickles and cakes and breads and vegetables for the judging ( I hope to visit them tomorrow) , but there is a charm and deep local presence that makes this a very special day. 
The people who show their animals with such pride are also nodding with gratitude to a fecund past filled with glory and vigor. There is an iron clad connection straight back through almost 200 years of the very same event. This is where small town America will not give up. It has taken a beating but refuses to lie down and sigh. 
The young people show their animals joyously and are sure of their place in this world, one cannot help but smile and encourage them. 
Even when you do not win at the side shows, it is all good.
It could be worse.
There is a rightness about this summer day. When you can just sit and watch your world go by and be completely at home with it. It must be truly wonderful to live in the town you grew up in. Where you know everyone. To belong.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
56 responses to “The Fair”
Wonderful snapshot of your local fair, and interestingly the images could be from the local country show, a version as Nanette describes, we go to on the mid-north coast of Australia. Where there is a good mix of old and new. I love the rural growing, baking etc areas, and hope one day to enter [and win] something myself. I love that even if you don’t have those local roots, you can pause, say hello and have a chat 🙂
Having lived around the world and mostly in urban areas I have not oft been able to witness the scenario you show and describe. Am SO glad you had a day out with likeminded people and possibly even made some connections! I have been shocked to read in the number of daily/weekly newsletters of US origin I receive how the small farmers, at least in some states like Michigan, almost seem to be persecuted for trying to do their ‘own thing’. I certainly hope that is not the case Down Under . . . ? Am smiling about mention of the Sydney Royal Easter Show: have not been for ages but that huge venture methinks is a pretty commercial one these days: not a small and comfortable and cheap day out amongst neighbours 🙂 !
I grew up going to the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe, Ontario. There are 4H-ers (I was one a way back), animals and poultry of every kind, artwork, needlework, baking, preserving, fruit/veg/flower competitions, horse racing, concerts, smash-em-up derbies, carnival rides, carnival food, exhibits of everything you can imagine (and some things you would never have imagined). And it runs for a week – a whole glorious week! On the first day of the fair, a Tuesday, all the schools in the County close – at least I hope they still do – and it’s a total blast! High school competitions in tug of war and cheerleading, and fun – fun – fun. The last day of the fair is our Thanksgiving Monday and it’s a sort of sad day because by then we know the harvest is over and winter is just around the corner. I haven ‘t been there in a few years, always seems that something conspires to keep me busy, but I think this year is the year I’ll take the grandkids to. If you want to know more check it out here http://www.norfolkcountyfair.com
If we keep going to the local fairs, keep supporting local farmers and keep speaking out about agriculture in the best ways we can, then perhaps there will be fairs for many years to come.
I hope everyone can get to a local fair.
Chris S in Canada
one of the things they used to do that drew a big crowd here was,cow patty bingo.a sucessful fundraiser for the ffa kids
winner had the numbered square in small field,laid out like a bingo card,that a wandering old jersy cow,panzy, did her business on.
occasionally there was a split decision, 2 squares involved.
the crowd going wild, cheering the cow when she get to their area, or calling her to the other side,if thats where your square was.
but last few yrs, our local fair went too commercial to do fun things like that.
Awwww, those piggy’s ears! 😀
I loved this snapshot of your small town and would love to see more.
I am super curious to know how the Martriarch likes your photo collection from the fair…
she loves it as long as no names are attached!! ha ha ha .. c
Oh, how I love fairs! Looking forward to our state fair in a week or two.
How heartening to hear of these old traditions being kept alive.
I love small country town fairs – and the little town parades. One of the things I miss about visits back to the country. I am glad we were able to let my daughter experience those when she was little – she does remember and maybe will scout some out for her own eventually. The big ones are something, too, but the small locals ones have a quiet unhurried charm
Cecilia, you captured the heart and soul of our ‘little town’ – what lovely photographs and kind words. As mayor it makes me even prouder to see others appreciate why living in a small town is so special.
Thank you Barbara, we have a lot to be proud of!.. c
Reblogged this on Barbara Hahn's Blog and commented:
I’m so proud to share this from THEKITCHENSGARDEN… Cecilia captures in photographs and words what makes our ‘small town’ so special… Barbara