The day started early and ended early but was packed full of everything the girls wanted to see and do. We had so much fun and food. It started with the little warm donuts near the midway. It included a trip up the hill to the Pioneer Barn. We wanted to get a little crock for Laura in North Carolina. She missed being at the fair this year so we got her a little remembrance of it. We browsed the exhibits and I was surprised that there were entries of antiques and collectibles in dozens of categories. The girls saw things they weren't familiar with like a Floppy bank. Who is Floppy? Do you remember?
We came down the hill to view the chainsaw artist's masterpieces. Quite remarkable. Then viewed the one room school house and the telephone company. The girls thought the operator was real at first and then were in awe of the old phones that dialed or hung on the wall and were answered by everyone in the neighborhood.
We saw the barbershop and a general store and came to the soda fountain where we enjoyed phosphates: vanilla, green river, cherry and chocolate. We visited with a lady who has been working the state fair for more than 25 years with her sister. What a special tradition they have; I'm sure there are many more like theirs.
We wandered down the grand concourse and viewed the shoppers mart, and on to the conservation building to see the fish and the duck pond before heading to the varied industries building to escape the approaching rain. We made a stop at the Iowa State University exhibit and took in many others.
We also toured the horticulture building and saw the big pumpkin, the butter cow and friends and saw the butterflies in the FFA exhibit. We saw the Avenue of Breeds, the big boar and the big ram and wandered through the sheep barn feeling a little lost without our own Stewart pen this year. There didn't seem to be the same excitement as when we were showing. It was weigh-in day for the 4-Hers so there wasn't a show to watch. It was just strange and a little sad. Maybe a lot sad.We had our favorite lemonade, corn dogs, and lamb burgers, and I got my usual salt water taffy fix. We enjoyed the sand pigs, and the hay chickens jumping on a trampoline. We rode the sky lift across the southern half of the fairgrounds and soaked up the sights, smells and sounds of the Iowa State Fair. We reflected on the years we have attended and considered what it has come to mean to us. It is history, fun, heritage and an Iowa tradition.
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage," (Psalm 84:5 NIV).
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