August 1, 2018 Happy Wednesday and Happy August! I was looking at my Facebook newsfeed yesterday and noticed a couple pictures that inspired today’s blog. The pictures served notice that we are now in prime season for state and county fairs! Our country has many traditions, but few traditions like the fair. The fair is a celebration of our agrarian roots: our Founding Fathers expected our country to grow with farmers being the backbone of our society. 242 years after declaring our independence, our farming communities honor that vision. And the fair, while offering a variety of attractions, celebrates the work of farmers more than most other events. As I said, there’s lots of variety, but some things take center-stage at the typical Midwest county fair: Future Farmers of America, 4H, livestock, food, vendors, arts & crafts, and carnival rides. I asked my friend, Julianne Stenger, what was her favorite part of her visit to the Ingham County Fair? Her reply: “Elephant ears, of course!” Elephant Ears are popular. They rank up there with cotton candy, popcorn, and warm pretzels. At the Texas State Fair, as well as at the New York State Fair, the Butter Sculptures are among the most popular attractions. At the Washington State Fair, kids can learn to churn butter – the old-fashioned way. And the Ohio State Fair has a popular Homebrewed Beer Competition, as well as an impressive line-up of musical entertainment and concerts. Obviously, technology has changed the atmosphere and scenery of the modern fair compared to the fairs of two hundred years ago. But the popularity of the fair has not waned, although fairs adapted to the economic realities in times such as those during the Great Depression. At the Eau Claire County (Wisconsin) Fair, for example, fair exhibits during the Depression included entries such as “best patched garment and best darning on a hose.” But the centerpiece of the fair focuses on the farmer. Agriculture, horticulture, livestock, and educational activities for youth are the prime drivers of the fairs all across our country. Mistletoe Enterprises and Victory & Valor salute our farmers. We encourage youth to participate in educational programs such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America to develop knowledge, and to build leadership. Enjoy the rest of your evening! Talk to you again Friday. And, see you at the fair! (I’ll be the one with the Elephant Ears!)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorTom Davis is the owner of Mistletoe Enterprises LLC. He also publishes and distributes the Victory & Valor Flyer, it tells the stories of heroes from all walks of life. Archives
December 2018
Categories |