Fair Days for the Fair Days
Yes, folks, it's that time again. The East Texas State Fair is in town, serving the best in greasy foods, offering the widest selection of crafts made from popsicle sticks, and blocking traffic for a full three city blocks. Nothing like carnies to make you realize how lucky you are to live in a town where the Fair comes only once a year...
P loves the Fair. Just mention it briefly in conversation, and you'll see what I mean: the corners of his mouth turn up a fraction, the wrinkles in his forehead relax, and I swear you can see the corn dogs and cotton candy dancing in his eyes. We've got Michigan to thank for this, of course. As far as P is concerned, the metropolis of Hillsdale has long cornered the market on fairing; you might expect him, then, to be a bit pickier about other fairs -- say, those that occur in deep East Texas -- but, no. In fact, the further the fair is from Hillsdale, the better, for that gives more fodder for his favorite fair topic: how does this fair compare to Hillsdale's? Does it have the same variety of food? Are the rides as freaky? Is the parking decent and at a proper distance from the fairgrounds? Is the Republican table adequately manned and in a centralized location?
Yes, even the State Fair of Texas itself is held to such scrutiny by my fearless fair junkie of a husband. But lest you think he's just being too hard, remember that these fairs do have something going for them over Hillsdale's. For, after all, they are in Texas, and you just really can't ask for much more than that. So in spite of the inferiority of such events to those held in Hillsdale, P is still very proud to be a part of them, even if only to show up for lunch (entrance is free before noon) and try out this year's new fried food variety.
P loves the Fair. Just mention it briefly in conversation, and you'll see what I mean: the corners of his mouth turn up a fraction, the wrinkles in his forehead relax, and I swear you can see the corn dogs and cotton candy dancing in his eyes. We've got Michigan to thank for this, of course. As far as P is concerned, the metropolis of Hillsdale has long cornered the market on fairing; you might expect him, then, to be a bit pickier about other fairs -- say, those that occur in deep East Texas -- but, no. In fact, the further the fair is from Hillsdale, the better, for that gives more fodder for his favorite fair topic: how does this fair compare to Hillsdale's? Does it have the same variety of food? Are the rides as freaky? Is the parking decent and at a proper distance from the fairgrounds? Is the Republican table adequately manned and in a centralized location?
Yes, even the State Fair of Texas itself is held to such scrutiny by my fearless fair junkie of a husband. But lest you think he's just being too hard, remember that these fairs do have something going for them over Hillsdale's. For, after all, they are in Texas, and you just really can't ask for much more than that. So in spite of the inferiority of such events to those held in Hillsdale, P is still very proud to be a part of them, even if only to show up for lunch (entrance is free before noon) and try out this year's new fried food variety.
Remember when we went to the TX state fair in Dallas in our college days? Good memories! That holds as my best fair experience thus far. Maybe I'll have to give Michigan fairs another chance. Though we are in Cheboygan as opposed to the great Hillsdale........
ReplyDeleteHmm... wonder if Cheboygan will have a good fair (maybe nearby)? If not, seems like it might be worth it to travel to Hillsdale... he he - or maybe that'll be our excuse for a visit! (We can send the boys and stay home talking)
ReplyDeleteWhatever we do, though, we will NOT use grape soda and Zebra cakes for our communion...