Sunday, April 13, 2008

We've Got Lots in Common Where it Really Counts!

We went to the Maricopa County Fair yesterday afternoon. It was our first venture out to the fair in these parts since we've lived here. Since the weather is finally getting too hot (it's supposed to be 94 degrees today) to be comfortable, we figured we'd better get out and enjoy it while we can.

My main purpose in going was to show our kids all of the animals. They both really like the zoo, so I thought this would be fun too. Plus, these would be animals they see in books all the time. There really were tons and tons of animals. Both Derek and I went to fairs in our own home towns growing up and we compared the experience to our own.


First, I don't remember any llamas at my fair growing up, but there were lots at this fair. It was really neat to see them, but the way they would watch you with their eyes...and knowing that they spit...it really made me think of those dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. And, apparently, it's fashionable to cut their hair like a poodle.

Second, I can talk geese. I would make this honking noise to this one goose and he would immediately answer me everytime. I just figured he was noisy like that, but when I walked away, he stopped doing it to anyone else.


Third, the food didn't look as appealing to me as the food growing up. I'm pretty sure the food growing up was sold by local vendors. Most of this food looked like carnival food--pizza by the slice, funnel cakes for $5, lemonade, etc. There was one stand that sold Mexican food (where we ate) and another that sold BBQ.


Fourth, the kids who were in 4H didn't look all the same. Most of the kids that participated in the raising and showing their animals would wear Wranglers (boys) and Rocky Mountains (girls) and lots of these kids had on regular looking clothes. There definitely were kids dressed like I remembered, but I guess I had figured things don't change--that's how I know I'm getting too old.


Fifth, I remember being enthralled by the rides. The colors and lights were so intriguing. Now, I look at them and see all the grease, grime and germ potential. My daughter, however, still views them in the same favorable light that I did. She begged and begged to ride on them.

Sixth, our bunny is big. Seriously, I looked at over 100 different rabbits and we only saw about 4 that were bigger than our chubby bunny. There was one rabbit that was so large it was shocking, but mostly, these bunnies made me realize we own a very large rabbit.



13 comments:

SHERI said...

I am glad you guys enjoyed it. You will have to try the State fair in October!

Jessica Martiele said...

Fairs in CA are kind of a joke...but we did go to the OC fair last year and had deep-fried artichoke hearts. YUM! (Deep-fried ANYTHING is YUM, be it avocado or twinkies...YUM.) I didn't grow up on fairs, but I DID grow up on the movie Charlotte's Web, so if anything, I LOVED your title and immediately started singing. :) Oh...the llama photo? Yeah...it took me like 2 minutes to figure out that that was NOT a 2-headed llama. Great shot. :)

Lara Neves said...

Wow....that Llama poodle cut is very very interesting.

JenW said...

wow, good job for getting out to the fair, sounded fun! speaking of talking to geese, have you read Goose Girl yet? i know we talked about that once. if you haven't i have it, you can borrow it if you want!

JLJ said...

That last picture is not of a bunny. That is a Rabbit. You could put a saddle on the back of that thing and.... do the bunny hop?

Erica said...

What a fun fair. However, my favorite part was reading about your bunny. You crack me up. Oh, and can I mention you look HOTTTT!!

wackywilsons said...

I love your point of view....isn't it crazy how we can see things as an adult, especially about the rides looking so charming, but to me...germ fest!

I loved the pic of the llama, just hanging out:) Good idea to enjoy the "pleasant" weather while you can! 94 degrees in April is nutssss~

Heather said...

You do look super cute and all tan! Jealous. No Indian Fry Bread? That's a must at any fair in Arizona.

I totally agree with you on the rides thing. I remember how fun and exciting it all was as a kid. Now I go and look at all the dirtiness and carnies and wonder what the heck I'm doing there.

Unknown said...

I always loved a good fair growing up! What a fun trip. Maybe you should enter your bunny in the fair next year.

Brooke said...

I had no idea they cut their hair like that. . . interesting.

The rides never appealed to me as a child. I have always been a germ freak and there was ALWAYS someone who had thrown up. I blame the deep fried everything!

From now on can I call you Goose Girl :)

DKAZ said...

OK, the shaved lamas are so funny!

Annie said...

Sounds like fun...The super large rabbit was a flemish giant...supposed to be pretty docile. I have only been to the state fair so your account was interesting. OH and BTW I speak goose too..we should chat sometime!

Cari Florence said...

Our couch is from Macy's. I'm not sure if it's microfiber or not though. I know that there is an awesome furniture store called Furniture Plus where you can literally look through the different furniture company catalogs and get their couches cheaper. You'll have to check it out.