Once a year the County Fair rolls around. A time for people to show off their work for the year. Work of the hands, the canning, sewing and decorations. The gardening and its fruits, a fashion show of hand made clothing and there are kinds of projects the youngsters made for their 4H project of FFA. Out in the barnyard are the animals. The rabbits, goats, bleating sheep and the cattle, the pigs lounge around oblivious to the racket. There are concession stands of buffalo burgers, shaved ice, homemade pie a la mode and the the western gear, saddles, spurs, bits etc. It is a busy place a people scramble around wanting to be here or over there.
For some this is a culmination of a years work. here is everything in the basket. Do good here and they go on to the State Fair. There the rewards are even greater. Mom and Dad hovering over their little ones, grandpa helping, grandma encouraging. There are sometimes four generations involved in their family at the fair. It is a life style that is fading into the back pages and even ignored. Yet in the small towns it comes to life once a year and the heritage of the pioneers is celebrated again.
The animals get special attention, whether for the rodeo or the show. Many of the little people showing their best work, sometimes show up in the arena riding in the rodeo. It is a rough and tumble life, dirt gets stirred up, manure is made to step in and things go spatter. Pack the home up, go spend a week at the fair.
There are the trophies from years past that shine on. The result of training in the early days of going to the fair. Learning how to work with the animals. Understanding the nutrition for different animals. How to train for their specific purpose. It is a lifestyle that linger on over the years.
With patience, they await their turn in the spotlight.
Next year, many will return.
1 comment:
Delightful pictures John...the perfect cap on Summer.
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