The Fair is in Town!
Having lived for several decades in Montreal, which at one point had not one but two sizable amusement parks to its credit, I used to take them for granted. It's not quite living next door to Disney World, but you do go through life assuming that anytime you feel like going up on the Ferris wheel, all you have to do is head over to La Ronde.
Of course now we've been living in a small town in the British Columbia Interior for a couple of years, and the closest amusement park is several hours' drive across the border in Idaho. So we've learned to really appreciate it when the fair comes to town!
Our Annual Fair
A small carnival travels from town to town in BC and Alberta every summer, and it generally stops here in our valley sometime in mid-May. The trucks roll into town in the middle of the night, and the carnival workers park them just a little ways down the street from us. So when the rides are all set up and they turn on the midway lights, we can see the fair from our kitchen window. If I stand out on the porch at night, I can hear the music and the excitement of the kids riding on the Zipper or the Drop of Doom.
The kids have one weekend – usually from Thursday evening through Sunday – to stroll the midway and take in the rides. There are also the usual games, though I don't think they're quite as popular here. And unlike some county fairs, there is no livestock showing, nor any competitions for produce or baking, or any tables selling homemade goodies or handicrafts. That's something our town organizes separately, in the fall.
This year makes our third fair, and I've got to admit that although I've gotten used to the routine now I still get a bit of a thrill when the rides come into town. And I don't even ride them anymore! I think I just like the romance of the lights at night, and the fact that my kids get really excited about going.That really makes it special for me.
| FOPP | AmusementPark | FerrisWheel | CountyFair | Carnival |
Image credit: Ferris wheel by Unsplash/Pixabay ( CC0 1.0 )
Image Credit » http://pixabay.com/en/attraction-ferris-wheel-fun-park-677788/ by Unsplash
Comments
MelissaE wrote on May 12, 2015, 5:46 PM
We have county fairs and state fairs, but no amusement parks.
1wolfgirl569 wrote on May 12, 2015, 7:27 PM
A fair of any kind is always exciting. Does yours have the junk food stands. Those are my favorite
Ruby3881 wrote on May 12, 2015, 9:05 PM
Yes, there are several food vendors. I never bother with them, but my neighbour loves them
celticeagle wrote on May 12, 2015, 10:18 PM
Used to travel with the carnival. I have written a lot about my adventures. We get our fair here toward the end of the summer.
1ViperGirl85 wrote on May 12, 2015, 11:21 PM
Oooh I wanna go to the fair lol! Have fun! :)
1CalmGemini wrote on May 13, 2015, 3:08 AM
Fairs everywhere bring out the kid in us.We are kids no more and we do not go for rides.But when we see the fair lights and hear the music.we are filled with happiness and wonder. But when the fair ends and every one goes, we feel a little sad to look at the place where the fair was.
1carolscash wrote on May 13, 2015, 6:37 AM
I love our county fair and since my daughter does 4H we are very involved with it as well.
1BarbRad wrote on May 13, 2015, 4:32 PM
Our city hosts the large Midstate Fair because we are in the middle of the state. I usually avoid the area when it's here. I don't like crowds or rides or fair food. Guess I'm an odd duck. We do have the competition for crafts, arts, produce, livestock and baked goods, and at this point in my life those are what interests me most. I just don't want to pay for the privilege of seeing them.