Fair memories are all about the sites, sounds and smells.
I can’t walk into a barn that has cedar shavings in it and not have the smell bring me back to 4-H fair days. However, if you ask anyone, parents and kids alike, who has ever gotten 4-H projects ready for the fair, they will tell you it’s stressful. But they’ll follow up with a string of memories like my own.
County fairs are more than livestock projects. For many the animals are a huge part of it but for others so are their exhibits such as flowers, crops, sewing, foods, etc.
My competitive edge knows no bounds. I was beaten by a fella at the foods review who, I believe, had his mom bake his buns that he exhibited to go on and win grand champion with. After that year, it was ON! He never exhibited again but I never forgot what it felt like to lose to a guy with the best buns.
It was expected that exhibitors also work the 4-H food booth. I quickly caught on to the fact that the ‘good’ shifts went right away. Who wanted to be stuck in the food booth during the demo derby?!
Some things I appreciate now as an adult looking back on my fair times:
Teamwork – We didn’t get to enjoy all of those fun times without a team of people help making it happen. From grandma running us up to exhibit day to the other show dad helping get my pig back in its stall, it truly doesn’t happen without help from everyone.
Organization – Making sure our bidder forms, entries, stall assignments, records books, as well as a ton of other items were taken care of, did not fall on my own young hands. Club leaders, my mom, other show moms, and older members helped keep us all straight.
Friendship – I got to meet other kids from all over the county. There are still a few I see and talk to to this day.
Winning/Losing – As I already mentioned I don’t take losing too easily. All of the times I came in second, third or fourth made winning grand champion more than worth it. Realizing firsthand the hard work truly does pay off is a lesson that I’ve carried as an adult.
After the chaos of the week settles down a few days afterwards, it’s a little easier to appreciate the craziness that all goes into fair exhibits. Now here I am with a youngster patiently waiting for his time to exhibit at the fair. My husband may not know what he’s getting into. He never participated in 4-H. That’s ok though. I can tell him all of the GOOD memories from fair time, and he’ll be none the wiser of the stressful prep work that also goes along with it.
Leave a Reply