At the Fair (Part 2)

(Continued from previous entry)

I head out into the glare of the sunlight, adjust to the conditions, and am greeted by thousands of Fairgoers. And you know, what I really loved about being out there, despite the crowds, was the feeling of happiness, anticipation, fun. People seemed quaintly carefree, separated for awhile from the madness going on in the world. Everywhere I looked people were enjoying themselves.

The most popular ride, as always, was the carousel. Parents and their children were lined up to ride on the colorful horses that bob up and down as they go round and round. When I was there, Tina Turner was belting out her theme song, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” I had to laugh. The expressions on those kids’ faces once the carousel started moving — well, it’s all etched in my mind. Unforgettable. The smiles. The gripping of the post. The embracing and encircling arms of mom or dad to make sure they’re safe. The parents seem to like it as much as their kids.

Next, I know it’s time to partake of my ritual food fare, Fiske French fries with vinegar and salt, and a large portion of fried dough with cinnamon and sugar known affectionately to Fairgoers as the “elephant ear.” Mine happened to be soaked in cooking oil. How sweet, crunchy and delectable. And greasy. Aferward, as I headed toward the main Midway rides, I felt like I had several heavy fishing weights in my stomach. Groan. But it was worth it. The Fair comes only once a year, and that morning I had prepared myself by eating a healthy breakfast of oatmeal and a bran muffin. I managed to pass up the Italian sausage with onions on a bun. But I have never seen so many tempting food booths. I kept looking and marveling at what people were consuming.

Well, I can see some things never change at the Fair. The barkers try to entice you to throw balls in hoops to win a big stuffed animal prize. Back again is “The World’s Smallest Horse — 10 inches at birth, now fully grown.” Step right up. 50 cents.

I passed more fennel cake stands, cotton candy, pizza, Greek food, ice cream. Banana splits $6.

Then, of course, the rides. How kids love to get on those gravity-defying, stomach-churning, twirling, lightning-fast cages, cars, coasters, and contraptions. On the Mega Drop, about 12 people at a time, harnessed securely in their seats, rise straight up about 150 feet, and then drop down to the ground as if the floor was suddenly ripped from beneath them, only to have the fall broken at the last minute in a powerful upthrust of brakes and air. Now is that my kind of fun! “For your safety,” the sign in front of the gate leading to that ride says: “this ride not recommended for guests with heart trouble, recent surgery/illness, back, neck or bone injuries, pregnancy, or high blood pressure.” Gee. Wonder what that’s all about?

All the rides were there. The ones I remember from my childhood: the Scrambler, the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Bumper Cars, that fun ride where you ram into every car you can before getting rammed in turn by one yourself. Another metaphor for life.

The carnies are just as I remember them — grizzled, weatherbeaten, sun-blanched, red and brown-faced veterans and, as always, new generations of these traveling gypsies. The contrast between the young and the older carnies is always interesting. Tough. Hardy. One was dancing to the rap music blaring from speakers as he secured passengers in a ride that soon would be spinning and gyratng and turning every which way to the delerious screams of delight of the passengers. I watched that one for awhile in amazement and thought again of the lead weight fried dough in my stomach.

As I was leaving, I overhead a mother and her daughter. Mother: “You don’t wanna get on that ride.” (It was the roller coaster ride, The Avalanche) Daughter: “I ain’t scared.”

Oh, I enjoyed this. It was if I was there. I used to play the State Fair at Columbia every year. Funny, I never minded those crowds, but can’t stand more than 4 or 5 people in a room, & hate crowded elevators. Thanks, for a few moments I was 20 something again.

This was such a wonderful trip to go with you on, Oswego, and a door into a lot of memories for me. I can just taste the corndogs, smothered in mustard, or the cotton candy. The thrill of the Tilt-a-Whirl or the fun of the Bumper cars and always, the lovely carousel. I would ride it as many times as I could. All those lovely horses and dreaming they were real. Wonderful!!!!

yep. I miss those days. sounds like you had a blast. Oh–you mentioned you were a photographer. Have any work online anywhere? I’d love to have a peek. . . .

I went last year, it was definately an experience.

It would be appropriate to have a Tums booth at the fair, no?

Your description was wonderful, my friend! I can actually smell the food, hear the people and the feel my stomach flip-flop from the rides.

I think what you call an elephant ear is a funnel cake here and now you have me craving one! This was a light hearted and fun entry.

Thanks for the visist! The fair sounded so enjoyable! Did you try the Mega Drop? 🙂 . Hey my friend, I’m still waiting for your photos to be published! Please!

Wish I’d known. These entries are too jam-packed with terrific detail for me to know where to start. You’re a reporter at heart, no question about it. Excuse me while I try to find an elephant ear. . . .

You observe so much and share it with us. I always feel like I am there. But did you know that your breakfast of oatmeal and bran muffin wipes out all the other bad calories of the day? You could have even included the banana split!

Thank You for taking me to the fair with you.I really enjoyed it.Especially the funnel cakes and elephant ears. I love Polish sausage, but like you I passed this time. I seem to be doing very well so far as my health is concerned. New meds and all.Thank You for the nice notes and your concern for me. It means a lot to hear from folks here at Open Diary. A wonderful bunch of people! [Wednesdays

This leaves me with a great idea for another photo series – but it will have to wait till spring.

This may sound a little weird, but I am doing a paper for English class, and to facilitate this, I am taking a survey. I have plenty of responses from younger people, now I am looking for input from people who are not 15-28! Would you mind helping me out by responding to the horoscope survey on my page? It will only take a few minutes and it will help me greatly… Thank you for your time!! [Ai

This was almost like being there with you! I could even smell the food as you described it…*S* I had an opportunity to go to the Columbia Fair a couple years ago to see Sammy Kershaw…that was an amazing fair!

oh how totally refreshing…i want to try those french fries with vinegar so badly..i have never had those…gosh…i think im in love with your writing…can i have an affair with it for a long time ? *smile*

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October 29, 2001

Oh how wonderful this was to read and experience!! Carousel THE best even now in my …years!!! Thank you for a positive thought today. Would have loved to seen the MI Fair while I was home but…time can be so short

I admit to being a ride junkie. Except…I’ve never ridden a carousel. For some reason, our county fair is always in July but we have a Foothills Festival each October. The weather was perfect. Just like what you describe.RYN. Thanks for the advice. I knew better but did it anyway.

Wonderful entry Oswego! 🙂

One summer in between school at college my (then) husband and I went out on the road and worked with a carnival. My husband had been brought up on the road with his mother but it was all new to me. It made for a very interesting summer. At 20 something I didn’t much resemble the typical dirty old carny. Elephant Ears are similar to Indian Fry Bread, nummy stuff.

“lead weight fried dough”?! You mean you’ve tasted my bread?! 🙂

Your entries strike a universal appeal: things we all love or– have loved and only in retrospect through reading your pages, do we realize how much! Gypsy Song Wish you lived nearby,I’d bring over a tray of Buffalo wings for a picnic on Folly Beach.– or what would you prefer?

I was in LOVE with the County Fair growing up, & small carnivals that came to down. Many memories you’ve brought back.More recently, I sketched & wrote observations.And rode the Ferris Wheel, a metaphor for me, because it meant that I overcame a fear that started in about 1958 when I rode one w/ my dad.Have you read Bradbury’s books which have Fair settings?

Very evocative — I can smell the food, walk there in the fairgrounds — one of my favorite passages from Thomas Wolfe is a short story he wrote about watching them set up the circus early in the morning in —hmmmm–was it south or North Carolina where he lived? ((PS I am fine & thank you for your faith in me, dear kind friend)) Akhmatova

I never liked fairs as a kid. Especially less so as a teenager. I don’t know why, really.

RYN: ah, man–you’ve been to New Orleans? Why do you have to be so. . .great?! 🙂 I’ve been trying to move there for years. I’m finally going to do it in September. Can’t wait. I will be back to read more, when I get off work for the week. more soon, take care.

despite that i am stuck up here in greenwood, you really took me back to a time where childhood innocense blossoms, and adulthood begins(belittling the carnies!) i vividly remember EVERYTHING! especially the parents seeing there children on the rides. i am SO jealous that i did not get to go! i hope you enjoyed it for me. i haven’t had an elephant ear for AGES! i am dissappointed that you did not-

i am disappointed that you did not go on a single ride! i wish you rode one, just for me. the haunted houses, the exhibits, the corny teenage couples thinking there in love, & the smell & sounds & sight of the C.C.F. bring a familiar sense of home to me. all due to your well described, beautiful, direct and forward writing. i wish you did write for the charleston newspaper again! an honor! thanx!

I have the thrill of the fair and it leaves me shivering with joy. Thank you for that, you are one of my favorite authors. I do wish I could curl up in bed and read your lovely words. Of course it would be even more enjoyable to have been able to sip some wine and listen to you speak the melody of you thoughts. thanks

You should explain me about the food you mention there!!! I think I like the fried dough very much, but I’m not sure if it’s the same as what we have here. And cinnamon??? I am almost sure we don’t add cinnamon, whatever that may be? I enjoyed reading this. Your entry made me see everything as if I was there myself.:o)

This has reminded me of the many trips to the York and Carlisle fairs and the summer festivities along the Susquehanna. I was a glotton for Funnel cakes, Elephant ears, and our Sausages loaded with fried onions and green peppers. By the end of the day i would be sick bou I always saved room for a frozen Italian ice made with fresh lemmons. liz

Oswego! I was there and so were the others readers here–even the smells and sounds came back as I read. Sigh…the fairs of my childhood, when granddaddy the farmer came to town and the entire family went with him to the VA State Fair, where we walked through all the livestock exhibits and then did the rides… I tried that with our boy…Phew! he said. This stinks.

“Elephant ears” do sound a lot like funnel cakes, but I don’t think I’ve had a funnel cake with cinnamon before. Sounds good, though.