In Praise of State Fairs (a repost)
State fair season has begun. So in honor of fairs everywhere, here’s a repost from last September. Be sure to read Tony Woodlief’s WSJ editorial about this great American tradition. (Every time I get to the part about sending our kids up on a “whirling, spinning, lighted metal contraption…praying to God that the carnies weren’t drinking when they assembled it…” I break out in giggles.)
Heidi Stevens
September 10, 2010
I love state fairs. Love, love, love them. The smells, the crowds, the animals, the rides, the food on a stick, and the kitsch of it all. We grew up eagerly awaiting our tickets to the North Georgia State Fair, which were handed out to students during the first few days of school each fall. In high school I once cajoled a boy to take me to the state fair because I had a crush on his best friend and figured it would make the friend jealous. That plan failed miserably. The crush couldn’t have cared less, and I threw up on the ferris wheel during the date. Served me right.
Writer Tony Woodlief says in his article Our Love Affair With the Fairs: “Fairs embody our roots in agriculture, entrepreneurship and rabble-rousing. Where else can you, in a matter of minutes, buy a tractor, ride a camel…marvel over a 20-pound cucumber and then saunter a few hundred feet to hear Hank Williams, Jr. belt out ‘Family Tradition?’ Let’s face it: no matter how sophisticated we become, a life-size statue of Elvis sculpted from 800 pounds of butter will always fascinate us. And if you don’t understand this, then I’m afraid you don’t understand America.” Read more…
Sharing: 5 Do’s and a Do-Over
I read Susan McCorkindale’s first book, Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl, the same year we bought our farm. You might say the book, um, called out to me. Anyway, her newest, 500 Acres and No Place to Hide, hit stores last month. Read her wonderful “5 Do’s and a Do-Over” from Chick Lit is Not Dead.
Them’s words to live by.
Pitch-Perfect
Mike got pressured into building our first horseshoe court last week, especially after a heavy box arrived from St. Pierre, the American manufacturer that’s been turning out the real deal in pitching horseshoes since 1938. Even the White House has had a set of St. Pierres lying around.
Want to play? Here’s how.
the original farmer’s market
Happy Birthday to America’s original (and still most amazing) farmer’s market — Pike Place. If you’ll be in Seattle soon, check out Farm Days on the Cobblestones, happening now through Sept. 28.
Garrison Keillor pays tribute to the historic market in today’s Writer’s Almanac:
On this date in 1907, Pike Place Market opened in Seattle. It’s the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in the United States, and it covers the waterfront: nine acres overlooking Elliott Bay. On opening day, eight farmers brought in their wagons full of produce, and they were met by about 10,000 eager shoppers. Now, more than a hundred years later, the merchants gather at nine o’clock every morning and a market master takes their shouted request for stalls: about 130 free spaces for 225 approved vendors. If your first choice is taken, you’d better have a second, or third, ready, because they don’t wait. They manage to sort everything out in less than 20 minutes.
