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The midway beckons © Diane B. Reed |
The pond’s been quiet this week. The ducks seem a bit lonely without regular visitors. I’m guessing the siren song of the Midway at the WallaWalla County Fair and Frontier Days may have something to do with it, so I decided to spend a few hours at the fair.
The midway is bright and garish as is befitting a good county fair. Knife hawkers, political hopefuls, and sellers of salvation look for any indication of interest as I wander by. But I’m not buying today, I’m on my way to enjoy the fair entries. The artwork, quilts, whimsical flower arrangements, and antique farm equipment draw me in for a closer look. But my true love beckons me like a siren song and I quicken my step as I make my way to . . . the chickens.
Now I didn’t grow up on a farm, I’m a child of the suburbs. But for some inexplicable reason, every time I go to a fair I always find myself spending quality time with the chickens. I mean, really! Have you ever taken the time to look at them? I’ve never seen such an assortment of crazy-looking birds of every conceivable color and markings—feathers sticking out every which way. Clucking, crowing, and generally strutting their stuff. They’re birds with attitude!
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| Food temptations abound at the Fair © Diane B. Reed |
And then there’s the food! After I browse the food purveyors I can see why they have ambulances standing by. There is every possible artery-clogging food choice in the world—elephant ears, funnel cakes, breaded French fries, and deep fried just about anything. I decide to start with the elephant ear, my all time favorite. My picnic table companion Betty says she hasn’t eaten all day so she’ll be able to sample all the forbidden foods that the fair offers. I’m so full I decide to wait to buy anything else until I’ve walked around some more.
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| Cowboys and cowgirls wait for their event © Diane B. Reed |
I venture further into the fairgrounds, visiting the horse barns with their beautifully-groomed horses and the earnest displays of the 4-Hers. Then I watch the kids as they wait in line with their polished cowboy boots, crisp shirts, and cowboy hats waiting for their interviews with the judges. They seem incredibly poised for their ages. Their parents hover nearby, and you can see their pride. These young people represent the very essence of the fair—the next generation—some destined to be farmers and ranchers, others perhaps winemakers or merchants. There might even be a rodeo cowboy or cowgirl in their midst. Whatever they become, we can only hope that they will continue the traditions of Walla County and its environs. They make me proud to call this area home.
There's still a few days left of the fair, plenty of time to catch the rodeo and all the other attractions. So put on your cowboy boots and get on over!
Thanks for that report & the (as always) good photos! We are going to the Puyallup Fair next Fri. The bus trip from TLRC is free, & admission is free on Fri, so our only expense will be lunch on the fairgrounds. This is the biggest fair in WA, I'm told, & I'm not sure exactly why--it isn't the state fair or the county fair. Maybe it's a regional fair. We've tried to drive to Puyallup only once, & got snarled in a traffic jam on an ordinary day (Rte 512 is always congested), so we're glad we can take the bus & leave the driving to Vickie, our competent "activities director." We'll let you know how it was!
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