Another Year, Another Fair

For the last 75 years, my local town has hosted an agricultural fair.* It features exhibits of crafts, crops, and animals as well as an ice cream-making contest, a tractor pull, and a pet show. While there is plenty to do, many people spend most of their time there visiting with friends they haven't seen in a while. Yes, it really is like Mayberry in many aspects. :)

Last year the fair was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and I wasn't sure what to expect this year when they decided to have it. The first change was that masks were required in all indoor spaces. Next was the absence of the much-anticipated fire department chicken dinners. Other than that, things preceded as normal. It was easy to socially distance in the exhibit hall as well as outside. (BTW, our county has a 96% vaccination rate for at least one shot in 12 and older, and 80% for full vaccination for 12 and older, and a mask mandate.)

Ward and I both entered things this year. It was the first time for him to go through the whole process of entering things, checking for ribbons, and collecting prize money. He found it fun and exciting to show his wares outside of the family - especially since they were well received. He got a little taste of the fun I've been having entering things for years now. 

Below are a few scenes from this year's fair.

Overview of the exhibit hall. My estimate was the number of entries
 was down by about 1/3 compared to pre-pandemic times. 

Freshly washed cattle.

One-year-old fainting goats.

This John Deere play-tractor is a kid favorite every year.

Ward won a blue ribbon for this puzzle box. This simple-looking box takes 5 different steps to open. He included the directions, and the judges said that once they finally got it open, they were impressed with the craftsmanship.

I also got a blue ribbon for this COVID collage. The mask and viruses are raised from the background. If I had had more time, I would have reworked it, but good enough was good enough. I have figured out over the years that there isn't much competition in this category.

This photo of mine won a red ribbon.  Unlike the collage category, the photography section is quite competitive so I was quite happy with this win. 

In addition to what I showed above, Ward also won a ribbon for some ash coasters he made, and I won a couple more ribbons for photos and a few for flowers including a champion for one of my marigolds. Wally bought another fair T-shirt and that made him happy. He doesn't live here anymore, but he likes to support his hometown.

Another year, another fair, another good time. :)

*There have been two times they have canceled the fair over the last 75 years - once during WWII and last year because of the pandemic.