1) Traffic. Just getting there is a nightmare.
2) The feeling that I’ve been trapped inside a never-ending episode of “What Not to Wear.”
3) Waiting in line. I have been granted the gift of patience many times in the past two years, but for whatever reason I lose it at the fair.
4) Being constantly bumped into by strangers. Personal space, people!! BACK OFF!!!
5) Carnies who change the ride rules whenever they feel like it.
6) Germs. Everywhere. Gross. If I make it a week without getting sick I’ll be amazed. Yes, I brought my own hand sanitizer.
7) Grossly overpriced food. And rides. And toys. And novelties. My friend says the fair is where money goes to die. What exactly do you DO with a flashing light thermal mug? Or a giant photo button? Or a $10 giant test-tube/beaker gadget you bought to hold 2,000 calories worth of slushee? Or a crazy fuzzy ridiculous hat you’d never be caught dead in outside the fence?
The originally purpose of the fair was “to advance the interests of agricultural, horticultural, dairying, stock raising, mining, and manufacturing industries of the Puyallup Valley.” Sounds boring, right? Apparently someone REALLY wants to make sure no one gets bored. So they provide endless opportunities to spend your time & money on cheap, quick thrills. I know they still have animals and contests at the fair, but last night, by the time we were done waiting in line for tickets, rides & food, we were exhausted and broke, so we headed home.
I know some people love the fair. I have nothing against those people. I’m happy that they enjoy it. I admit I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Connor scream and giggle his way through a ride on the Scrambler last night. Weird Al’s Brain was the first thing I’ve ever seen in 3-D, and it really did seem like that ball hit me right on the nose. The sunset was beautiful and the elephant ears SO yummy. But if one of you Fair-loving people would like to take my Fair-loving children next year, I will not fight you for it.
2 comments:
Ha!! I completely agree...but I do have to say, some of my best memories of being a kid are when mom and dad would take us up there. The sacrifices we make for our children:)
I went to the Fair for the first time this year. Happily, I went as a chaperon for Savannah's 4th/5th/6th grade class. Satsop School is the BEST. We got there, and I learned that the kids had been drilled with the rules for a week - no rides, no spending money, and no food until their usual lunchtime. At a certain time, they had an hour of free time they could use for rides, shopping, etc. 3 kids per one adult, and off we went.
We had a great time touring the barns, checking out the blacksmith and trying out the pioneer tools. (Sadly, I had to teach the exhibitors what they were exhibiting, like how to milk a cow, but hey...) We checked out the fire truck, listened to bluegrass music, and had our sack lunches in the vegetable garden.
During free time, they had just enough time to go on a couple rides, and Savannah picked out a hat (which she actually wears today! (: ) I got to watch the draft horse demo while the kids were on the rides.
There were no squabbles, no whining, it was great! I'll go to the fair with Mrs. Hendrick and her class any day!
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