Did you know that the longest continually running county fair began in Watertown in New York’s Jefferson County and has been ongoing for 193 years! Watertown is also known as the birthplace of the Five and Dime and the safety pin of all things. What was once a way to bring the community together with livestock and horse races, for farmers to share ideas and see who had grown the best fruit, who baked the best pies, the county fairs of modern day has all those things along with so much more.
Our local county fair runs for the entire month of September and brings in hundreds of thousands of people from all over the state. The LA County Fair has a list of attractions such as Carnival Rides, Midway Games, Zipline, Kiddie Zone, Wild West show, Rawhide Dude Ranch and Farm Animals. As an parent, spending the day at the fair meant lots and lots of walking, trying to find shade, since it was usually the hottest part of the summer, consuming snow cones to keep cool and trying to keep track of my very excited children. It was crowds and heat and junk food eating. It was a farm animal petting zoo and horse races and cowboys strutting their stuff. 
As a child, I was most excited about the midway games. I especially loved ski ball games. And shooting waterguns at a target to fill a balloon, with my seated opponents ready to outshoot me. I remember riding on a carousel and eating yummy funnel cakes. I remember walking grounds and seeing beautiful garden exhibits, listening to country music all day long and at night watching concerts under the stars. I’ve seen Travis Tritt and Sonny and Cher perform live! I have missed out on some really big name artists though. Toby Keith and Martina McBride recently performed in fairs close by. I’ll have to catch them next time. Ugh, they are two of my favorites and I’m sorry I missed seeing them! But I’ll always have great memories of spending the day with my family, eating hot dogs on a stick, the party-like atmosphere and festivities.
Tell me about your county fair experiences. Did you ever go? If not, what do you think you’d enjoy the most of the activities listed? One commenter will win a Two-in-One book from my Desire backlist.
Stop by my website at www.charlenesands.com or if you’d like a free magnet or pen send a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Charlene Sands
PO Box 4883
West Hills, CA 91308
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hael Phelps swim. He’s a true inspiration. I’m glad I watched all of his races. It was truly history in the making.
