County Fair, Day One

The first day, Debbie was able to come with us, so she was privy to our all-too common practice.  We left in a tizzy, as always, speeding along the roads with a dozen flower arrangements clutched between knees and white-knuckled fingers, shrieking when each wild turn broke off a bloom or two, and then, in a stroke of fate, we found ourselves trapped behind a slow-moving truck that sloshed liquid manure all over the road.  It was noxious and comical and infuriating all at the same time.

But.

We arrived in time to drop the bouquets off for judging, and all was well.

For those who don't know, our county fair puts the "po" in podunk.  We pet some animals, walk through the sad midway, and catch a show or two.  The highlight is tallying up our ribbons, estimating our winnings, and then spending a portion of those winnings on fried elephant ears and picnic food (for Day Two). 

This year, though, there was something new!  Something odd and confusing and mysterious!

Mechanical chickens that tell jokes and sing?  It was either a bomb of an idea or brilliant, and I'm still not sure which.  I do know that the seats were empty almost every time we walked past. ("Chicken jokes.  Push green button..."  You can bet we pushed that button!)

Millie predictably sniffed out some handiwork.

We befriended bovine.

We delighted in the World's Naughtiest Pigs, who spent more time scampering away from their small owners than they did displaying their showing ability (probably because these pigs had no showing ability).

We ate our yearly elephant ears (of COURSE).  If only John had been with us, this would be my favorite family picture to date. The boy wearing a wife beater in the upper left corner will have to stand in.

Annika and Piper were the stars of the Lumberjack Show.

This show was probably my favorite part of the fair.  With all its corny humor, Dad would have enjoyed it, too.

And that's it for Day One!