A Fabulous Fair Day

Today, we went to the fair.  I knew it would not compare to the MN State Fair, so I had no expectations, just to see animals and have fun.  Any fair should be able to meet those.

I WAS IMPRESSED!!!!

We had an absolutely awesome time.  Fantastic.  And a perfect substitute for the MN State Fair.  Plus it was only 70-ish degrees outside.  The Sandwich Fair is only 1 hour away!  Parking was free, Eric and I paid $8 to get in, Simon was $5 and Norah was free!  While everything was about 5 times smaller, almost every important fair aspect was there.

Here is what we did:

1. Saw, touched, and smelled cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens/roosters, chicks, a 3 day old calf, pregnant cows - we think. We didn't have Grandpa to confer as an expert farm consultant.
2. Milked Maggie the cow, don't worry, Maggie was sculpted and did not moo.
3. Saw a sheep and cows being showered.  The sheep was quite vocal. 
4. We heard a girl talk fondly of her sheep, and that next week they were going to market.  But they won't die next week.  The week after that.
5. Watched short snippets (due to my kids attention spans) of junior cow, goat, pig and sheep judging.  The cow judging was in a spot of grass just outside the cow barn.  In the afternoon we noticed a huge crowd that must have decided the final beef cow judging.  I would have stopped to watch, but we were off to see rabbits.
6. Saw lots of things you just do not see every day!
7. Climbed on tractors, as often as possible!
8. Saw The Great American Duck Race.  The second show we were chosen!  So Simon and Norah  helped me to race a Mallard Duck, we had Tella Tubby.  When the duck whistle blew, I dropped our duck into the pool and we encouraged and splashed Tella Tubby to second place.  The best part was the border collie shepherding the ducks.  
9. Kids enjoyed corn dogs.
10. We enjoyed the pork sandwiches, purchased just outside the swine barn.  I always love that.  I thanked the pigs for my tasty sandwich!
11. I especially enjoyed the Home Arts building, and found out that I and my Mom could enter into the fair.  They want to fill up the building so entries are welcomed from anywhere.  And no rules of having to complete the item within the year of the fair.  This excites me!  Much smaller building, but lovely.  We saw cakes, cookies, canned goods, and all categories of needlework, yarn goods, quilts, afghans, and sewn items. 
12. The lady I talked to mentioned the Post Office on the grounds.  I forgot about this and did not find it to check on a postal stamp for a postcard.  Something to check on next year!
13. Enjoyed the Arts and Crafts building, filled with kid projects.  Like Lego and perler bead creations, drawings, simple craft projects and dioramas created by kids.  This excites the kids! Photos also entered, by adults, I think.
14. Heard and smelled the tractor pull.
15. Saw a radio station there.
16. Wandered through 2 commercial buildings.  My fave freebie is a pasta stirrer with holes in the handles to measure 1, 2, 3, or 4 servings of pasta.  The kids received medals for being a Champion of Health.  Simon totally was shnuckered into the rubber bristled broom, for $20.  He told us we needed that and he likes to sweep.
17. Many exhibits to walk past, plenty of food stands and gimmicks.  Midway like games were splattered throughout the fair, so we constantly had to tell kids about spending our money wisely and not on a quick one minute or less game where they would uncontrollably sob if they did not win anything.  Plus, we bought them a duck whistle, since we raced our duck for free.
18. Enjoyed the one stage of music to rest our tired tootsies.
19. That, is where I sat down next to a woman crocheting.  I, of course, brought my great take along project.  She started talking to me and asked what I was making, and I told her the whole story of how my amazing quilting aunt was having this project along and I had to join.  She was working on a doily thing with cotton yarn.  Her junior high and/or high school kids were serving in the Catholic church diner and she was waiting for their shift to be over.  She lives local and has spent the week at the fair. She works for he sister for Lion Brand yarn patterns or something like that.  Small story, she used to live in Villa Park and went to the same high school as Eric and his siblings.  She did not recall the names, even though she was just one year behind his sister in high school.  She shared some tough childhood life events, that she did not have an ideal childhood, and moved away to live her life as she wanted.  Her husband recently lost his battle to dementia.  She was so positive and upbeat.  Just us two ladies crocheting away a few minutes.  And in the end, she gave me her little half hour project.  We did not snap a picture, exchange names, give phone numbers, or share websites.  We ended with "maybe I'll see you next year at the fair".  It was lovely.
20. We ran into a teacher who works at my school and goes to the fair every year!
21. We ran into the lady who works in our church nursery and cared for Norah during Bible study and sometimes church when she was tiny. 
22. We watched the end of a cowboy show.  
23.  Three of us fell asleep in the car on the way home.  We had a very lovely, happy day at the fair.

What the differences were:

1. Size - just not as huge.
2. No daily parade
3. No birthing center for all farm animals.  
4. Not as big vendors, like Spam and Home Depot, unless I missed them,
5. While we do not eat a ton of food on a stick at the MN state fair, I sure missed people walking by and wondering what in the heck they were eating.  The variety was just not present at Sandwich. I was impressed with the pork booth and corn on the cob was present. There was a root bear stand that seemed to promise uniqueness.  
6. Princesses and the Butter Queen
7. No all you can drink milk
8. No crazy hats that everyone wears all day at the MN state fair.  Like the chicken hat, pickle hat or fish hat.
9. Not much 4H that I could tell, but definitely an FFA presence
10. No Grandma or Grandpa to enjoy the fair with, to teach farm facts or to enjoy obscure places and spaces with.
11. Not multiple stages for entertainment and places to rest.
12. Not 7 or more hours away over a holiday weekend!  So close to home!!!

We are all very happy this fabulous fair day!