The Country Fair: A Homesteader's Holiday

(Page 2 of 2)

July/August 1982
By Jan Riggenbach 
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FAIR PLAY

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Participating in various fair contests has been a motivating and exciting experience for my family, too, and especially for the children. Barb and David, for instance, first learned how to plant and care for their own gardens because they wanted to get in on the county produce displays. Likewise, the livestock judging we saw at the fair that first summer got our family started raising our own chickens, a milk goat, and other farm animals. Furthermore, the prospect of an upcoming fair's prizes and compliments probably also helps our youngsters continue to face such unexciting caretaker's chores as cleaning out a manure-filled chicken coop and milking the goat on frigid January mornings!

The contests have even helped pay for our vacation. In fact, this past summer we made about $75 in prizewinners' "premiums" . . . which was more than enough to cover our gas, meals, and gate charges!

But don't get me wrong. The county fair isn't just an opportunity to display the fruits of our year's labors. Oh no . . . we find plenty of other things to do besides set up exhibits. There are how-to demonstrations and workshops to attend (on topics like craftmaking and canning techniques) ... all those delicious homegrown and home-cooked foods to sample . . . and, of course, the traditional supplies of hot dogs and such that just beg to be eaten up.

In addition, a county fair provides a rare chance to get together with friendly, happy folk of all ages who are eager to share a laugh or a home remedy. Nurturing new and old friendships is, ultimately, the most enjoyable and enduring benefit of our county fair experiences.

All in all, we heartily recommend this homesteader's holiday to anyone who enjoys a little healthy competition among neighbors, an inexpensive (why, heck . . . it's practically free!) good time, and the company of other "good life"—minded country folk. For a vacation that the whole family will enjoy, you flat can't beat a few days at the county fair!

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