Fair
My first memory of being at the fair, was in Eureka… I was probably 6. My dad took me and my mom … and being a skilled carnie game player, Dad tossed a soft ball into a metal milk jug and won me a giant St. Bernard stufftie …complete with a barrel bank around his neck. I had it for years!
Ahhh… the county fair. I love ’em. Though I haven’t yet tried the deep fried twinkie. Or the deep fried Oreo. Or the deep fried pickle. I only eat the funnel cake, though I wouldn’t mind trying two of the other three.
The most enjoyable thing I experienced at a county fair was back in the late 60s, when two fire departments had a “push of war” with their fire hoses. A bucket was suspended overhead by a cable and the firemen had to push the bucket with spray from a fire hose. The team who pushed it over the other team’s back man won. For a ten year old, it was AWESOME!
Pete,
A little town by us, Sprecekls, does the fire department competition on the fourth of July. Awesome, even for us not ten year olds, to sit on the curb and get SOAKED and cheer!
When I was a kid, my dad seemed to know every animal in the paddock by name, and have sugar for all the horses. Between the sewing and quilting and critters, county fairs felt like my folks’ tiny, rural home towns had gone on the road.
Spreckels, dammit, Spreckels!
Pete… I am fried Oreo and fried Twinkie curious. I don’t want a WHOLE order… just a bite… because you know that you’re gonna feel gross afterwards… no matter HOW GOOD it felt eating it. But I will pass completely on the fried pickle!!!
Judy… I’m sure the horses’ dentists had a thing or two to say to your dad!
As far as the Spreckels Fireman’s Muster, 4th of July, sadly they haven’t had the “sliding barrel” competition in several years. We used to have 5 or 6 different volunteer fire companies show up from all over the state, but there’ve only been a couple the last few years and the only competitions they’ve had are the bucket brigade and the rolling out of the hose (fixing it to a hydrant and knocking a target down) in the least amount of time. It used to get a LOT wetter than it does these days.
Man, I haven’t been to a county fair since I was ten. I kinda miss them. I used to bus out to them just because I could…… one of my half-siblings was always eager to go on a road trip and taking my screamy little self out was a good excuse!
Brig, I’m telling you, you’re missing out on the fried pickles! They’re great, especially battered and deep fried. It’s like cheddar on apple pie…… you don’t think it’ll be good. Then you try it.
You forgot the rides – those rickety leftovers from yesteryear that still travel the roads….
When the Brockie lads come back, with the first days of summer,
The whole town comes out to watch them pass,
n their trailors and vans, full of candy, rides and pleasure,
And a fond smile for each and every lass.
Oh, the Brockie lads are bad, but the Brockie lads are bonny,
Oh, the Brockie lads are all they’ve said and done,
And I never loved but once, she was the fairest of any,
But a-way with a Brockie lad she’s gone.
The Brockie lads are black, with the ways of the deveil,
They’re just tinkers and hawkers at heart;
All their flash clothes and cars hide a fear for to settle,
‘Cos they’re born to the creaking of the cart. (CHO)
And when we’ve all had our fill of the racket and the rattle,
And the lights have all gone down one last time,
They pack away their wild world of painted wood and metal,
And go off to work and woo another town.
Fried pickles are the BOMB!! Love them!!
I’m with you, Brig. As much as I love pickles – LOVE ‘EM! – the thought of deep frying one… *shudder* Since the others have recommended them though, I’m up for at least trying one.
And like you, I don’t need to eat an entire deep-fried-whatever. Though I’m betting the temptation will be there.