One of our top ten regrets about leaving Syracuse several months before we'd planned is that we were unable to bask in the wonder and spectacle that is the Great New York State Fair. Jeremy and I have always been fair folk (which is different from "carnies," if you're taking notes), but we have never seen anything like unto the Great New York State Fair. We aren't much for carnival rides, but we love strolling through the animal barns, scurrying away from escaping pigs, and watching livestock and horse competitions.
So believe me when I say that we were prepared to be disappointed in our visit to last weekend's North Idaho Fair and Rodeo. And I would be wrong if I said that a few things failed to measure up. For one, there was no dairy pavilion selling 25 cent cups of white and chocolate milk. And there was no butter sculpture. And there was no place to get a cheap and delicious baked potato with all the fixins. (Yes. In Idaho.)
Those few (albeit significant) disappointments excepted, we thought it was quite a fun fair. Clara was way more into the animals this year, and she spent the whole afternoon saying, "Pigs! Horses! Donkeys! Ponies! Chickens! Cows! Rabbits!" hoping we would eventually work our way BACK through all of the barn buildings. Plus, at one point Jeremy and I were talking with a vendor, and when we turned around Clara was sitting in her stroller playing with a stuffed frog toy that (we assume) some admirer had given to her in response to her magnetic cuteness and charm. When we asked her where she got it, she said, "Man give it you." Maybe this is true, but sometimes she makes up stuff, like when we go to get her out of bed in the morning and she says things like, "Man knock window" or "Pony knock window" or "Dolphin knock window." Really anyone (or no one) could be knocking on her window or giving her plush frogs. It's almost impossible to say.
So there it is. We have chosen to embrace the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo as a marginally acceptable substitute for the Great New York State Fair. Join us in taking a deep sigh of relief.
4 comments:
I just posted a comment on Robin's blog about how much I miss the New York State Fair. I miss the littlest pony you've ever seen, the biggest pig in the world, the half woman half snake, (she was by the far freakiest thing I have ever seen! Although I did find it amusing she was listening to an ipod!) the butter sculptures and mostly (a tear has come to my eye) mostly....I miss the fried snickers. :( We actually traded in going to the fair here for going to the Renaissance festival, and it was highly entertaining!
I hope you frame that picture of CB and Jeremy. It's the epitome of precious! Also, I'm sorry that you didn't get to see the butter sculpture again.
I love her! I can hardly wait to see you all. It's so close Rachel, so close.
What fun - there's nothing like spending a day at the fair with your family. Of COURSE it can't measure up to the New York State Fair (and I am shocked, SHOCKED, that the potato state doesn't offer cheap baked potatoes!), BUT, it's still nice to have a little something different to enjoy with your family at the end of your summer.
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