County Fairs

The Newton County Fair is going on this week, and as I saw the fliers and digital signs, a wave of nostalgia washed over me.  My grandkids used to love the County Fairs.  We entered everything they could think of in not only the Newton County Fair, but the McDonald County Fair, as well, which was the following week.  Oh, the fun we'd have preparing entries and the confidence they gained in their accomplishments was amazing.  As Sabbath keepers, we always missed the last day of the fair, but we'd go back Saturday night after sunset to collect the entries, ribbons, and prize money.

Blue ribbons at the County Fair are worth a lot more than they were when I was a kid.  The last year they had participated, we made big plans for the next year, as they would be old enough to enter livestock and compete.  Poultry just stayed in cages, so that was fine, but the larger livestock required 24 hour care and I felt they needed to be big enough to handle the water buckets and change the bedding in the stalls.  I love my Grandkids, but I'm not a good enough G-ma to spend four days and nights cleaning up behind penned livestock and keep the homestead running, as well.  Anyway, due to circumstances completely outside of my control or theirs, our best laid plans fell apart.

So, as I took care of errands in town, I couldn't help but be a bit sad this is the second year not participating, but I was also very thankful that we'd had those good times, as well.  As this week unfolded, it would have been quite an undertaking to accomplish what I did and cover the fair.  Blackberries are bit later this year, so it has all worked out for what I could manage.  Even if they were here, and if they were so inclined to participate, things have changed and they have many other interests.  Here are some of the prize winning photos from days gone by.

             
These are the photos that ended up being on the cover and inside of the cook book we wrote together.  "Sweet Memories and Happy Plates" was such a fun project!  The one to the right is the cover photo and the one below introduces the tasting and publishing department!



Fun times!  So glad we made those memories.