I am blessed to live in a small town in Western North Carolina. A town where neighbors still care about their neighbors, until a few years ago was still a dry county, most families go to church on Sundays and.....look forward to our county fair always held in September.
I love our small county fair, it's the last "agricultural" fair in NC and we've had it for many decades. No carnaval rides, no yelling carnies, nothing but fair sights and smells. I went to it today and as usual, loved it!
I headed for the school exhibit building first to find 2 of my grandkids art entries, arranged according to schools and grades, one made a pumpkin out of colored popsicle sticks with a face and all. The other made a pink pig, with long and curly eyelashes, standing under a glitter sky. Both got a blue ribbon......just like every other kid who entered something. I like that idea, where every child gets a blue ribbon!
From there I walked around and looked at all the businesses exhibits, got my free yardsticks, pens, tote bag, plastic drinking cups, 2010 pocket calendars, and registered for give-a-ways (I never win any of them but it's fun anyway).
Ran into old friends and neighbors, after we hugged each others' necks, we got caught up with what's-going-on-with-the-family(?) chat and "how's the barbeque this year"? Usually different churches will run a concession with all the proceeds going to the fair fund (helps to keep it going year after year).
While I sat and ate a chili dog, I took in the "Best Cake In The County" contest. There were Praline cakes, Orange slice cakes, Red Velvet cakes, Pound cakes, White Chocolate cakes, Cheesecakes and even a Paula Deen Ooey-Gooey recipe cake. All were auctioned off with proceeds going to the fair fund and I sat there and watched cakes go for $40, $50, $60 on up to one going for $180! But I think it was her husband who bought it....insurance for getting laid tonight....heh heh.
Next I walked over to the cattle barn to look at all the heifers getting all prettied up for the judging at 2PM. I never saw so many hair dryers or trimmers going at once! The girls all stood there patiently waiting, just knowing one of them was going to win the Grand Champion for her owner! I think they all use the same shampoo and conditioners I do. 
From there I strolled over to the pig barn. The ONLY reason I like to walk thru it is to hopefully see some baby piglets. I was disappointed this year, no babies.  I left soon....hey...I can only hold my breath for so long!
Now it was time to go check out the last of the animals as I headed over to the barn where the goats, rabbits, chickens and 1 pair of ducks are. The judging was held earlier this week so cages had their ribbons displayed with the names of the proud owners. I remember one year when my son (who was then 11 and is now 39) had his rabbit win Grand Champion, a beautiful spotted rabbit named Tyrone (after the town my grandparent's in PA lived in).
One more stop I have to make and that's towards the back where the funnel cakes and made while you watch pork rinds are. Also that is where the old farm machinery is on display with a trusty old engine sputtering out the sounds of days gone by.
I love watching all the old timers sitting around on their folding chairs talking with one another about how their gardens did this year, or when did they hear the first katydid out their way this summer?
Everyone worth their salt knows around these parts that exactly 3 months (give a day or two) after hearing the first katydid of the summer...we will have our first frost. I've been writing it down every year for almost 29 years and they are always right.......amazing!   
It's time to go on home now, I've seen the whole fair, visited with all the town folk, and besides...my feet are killling me!
Next year, if I'm still around on earth, I'll be there to see it all again. I might even enter a "Best Cake In The County".... 
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