I’ve always loved the fair, since I joined 4H when I was 10. We had cattle, so my first introduction to the fair was showing a heifer. Too bad I can’t find a picture of me in my cowboy boots and belt with the Elvis belt buckle and my name burned in to the back of it – those pictures are priceless, and apparently hiding!
Colossal Shorthorns
My “showing cattle” shirt
If winning from showing cattle wasn’t enough (my dad was competitive and we always had winners), I think I was hooked on entering things into the fair ever since I won a Reserve Grand Champion ribbon for my photography. I photographed a close up of one of the flowers growing wild around the windmill at my great grandmother’s house. My grandmother had gotten me into photography and had let me use her Canon AE-1 to take pictures around the farm. I was so thrilled to be able to share that with her!
Jasper’s Motorized Bike
McKinley’s Trebuchet
Bryce’s Artwork
McKinley’s pie
Jasper’s fair start
Our winning banana nut bread
Photography
Chocolate Obsession – Gelato
Winning Photo
Knitted Lace Cape
Chickens’ Ball Dress
I loved introducing my kids to 4H and the fair. It’s been fun to watch them work on things and enter them into the fair. Jasper did everything from a lattice top cherry pie to a motorized bike. Bryce has done art work and food. McKinley has done everything from cooking to his go kart to his cat tree.
Lest you think it’s all about winning, It’s Not. It’s partially about entering to win. Fairs are really about the rides and fair food! Elephant ears anyone? Or is it funnel cakes out here? Or BBQ or corn on the cob? Or the animals?
McKInley’s cat tree
Waiting patiently for the fair to begin.
After the crowds arrive!
One of my favorite memories from the Indiana State fair is having the same animal stalls year after year. We were conveniently located in the aisle where everyone had to go through to enter the arena, which meant we got to see everyone and be very social all week long during the fair. It was also conveniently located next to the food vendor who sold grilled cheese sandwiches and milk shakes. Lactose intolerance anyone? That food was sooo good!
What do you love about the fair?
