Tom got serious about Fair Food straight from the entrance gate: a deep-fried White Castle burger and corn dog lunch. I missed the photo op for the burger, since it was GONE by the time I returned with my fish taco/fried zucchini (comparative) health feast. Got the corn dog going in, though. Don't try this if you're inexperienced. It could ruin the rest of your fun at the fair! As it was, we went directly from that to soft-serve chocolate dipped confections and, thusly fortified, stomped off to the lesser attractions.
Sacramento in the summertime! We got lucky, and it was only in the mid-eighties, yesterday, compared to the 100 or so last year. The Expo grounds are huge (references: Nevada and San Diego County venues) and the different areas are far flung. It also makes it feel rather uncrowded, in most places. Of course, it was mid-week and school has started for most kids.
Highlights: a passel of piglets just hours old, twin baby goats (one day old), Chinese acrobats (seems like everywhere you look, these days, Chinese Acrobats!), some impressive art, actual movie props (among other things, the "Back to the Future" DeLorean and Zoltar booth from "Big"),interesting 3-D (with glasses) medical imaging software on a large screen (did we almost get hit with that cheekbone?), a demonstration of the sport of vaulting--that is, gymnastics on real horses that are galloping around--and fudge!
What did we buy? Not so much, this year, since we have most of it, already. But we bought these cool rope-and-pulley hang-up tie-down things for when we get our kayaks and need to hang them from the rafters in the garage. I think they'll work great!
On the whole, even with the fancy lagoon/stage area, fountains, monorail, we think that San Diego still has more cool stuff at its fair. Where are the gems and minerals, and fancy wood work? SD has several times the huckster booths and garden displays. Where are the bonsai and non-bo? The orchid people? (sigh)
But, we'll go every year, all the same. The combo of Nevada County and State Fair is a pretty good one. I just love looking at all the fascinating projects people are into. You've got your worm-castings people, and your bat experts (complete with live bat). There are folks that make art from straw and those that work in the medium of rusty farm equipment. Hypnotists and fancy-chicken raisers. Still fun and interesting.
And so nutritious!
