A Beautiful Fair Day

Yesterday, Saturday, a beautiful cool fall day, Keith and I headed out to the NC State Fair, jackets in hand plus my backpack. We got to the Fairgrounds by 9:45, found a parking spot along Beryl Road, a Jeep-sized space, then made our way along and across the railroad tracks to one of the ticket gates on Hillsborough Street. We've been parking along Beryl Road for almost 30 years (whoa!).

First stop, the poultry exhibit, my favorite. Not sure why, except most of them, hens, roosters, turkeys, guineas, peacocks and ducks, are so animated and upbeat-sounding, crowing, cackling, strutting their stuff as much as they can in their tiny cages.

Then through the cattle building and stopping briefly to watch some cow being judged--evidently people are only allowed along the perimeter this year after the ecoli scare last year. Next we walked into to a new building where the prize winning farm produce was displayed on one side, while on the other side goats were being judged. Not sure about the produce being with the animals, but---I guess the produce won't be eaten.

Next, the Village of Yesteryear, housed in an unique round brick building. I love this place, it's my third favorite exhibit, but usually it's so crowded it's hard to see what's going on. We got there before there was a crush of folks but still it was so busy we (at least me, the short one!) had to peep through the first line of curious lookers. Crafters and artists sell their wares as they form and shape their various pieces of art; potters, basketweavers, tatting artists, dulcimer makers, quilters, rug-makers, wood-carvers, etc.

After walking uphill to restaurant row, we stopped at the Cary UMC church booth for a delicious hot dog and hamburger, onion rings and fries, drinks, and a nice rest. We looked at a brochure/layout of the grounds and chose our next stop--the pottery tent, my second favorte place!!

We dodged people and rounded Dorton Arena to reach the pottery tent. It must be put together by Angela's brother, since quite a few pieces of his pottery were on the shelves:) We bought 4 Christmas gifts here! Pretty stuff, good prices, NC made:)!!

To wind up our Fair trip I looked over the quilts & cross-stitch entries--a treat to the eye-- while Keith waited outside resting his feet:) Then we toured the Jim Graham building filled with commercial vendors, but most importantly, the artwork and photography entries! My fourth favorite Fair "must see":) Keith & I think we could do better than the judges here:) Some of the best pictures did not get ribbons:( Still, it's wonderful and inspiring to see there are talented people in our area:)!

Finally we ended our day at the Folk Festival tent where bluegrass and clogging were 'showing their stuff'. A plus here; rows of chairs were a welcome sight for the weary Fair-goers:) Snacking on sweet fried dough, we enjoyed the exuberance of the entertainers, if not the talent:)

Bypassing the midway is becoming more and more the norm for Keith and me, unless it's to watch the wild and crazy rides and riders, but there's plenty to do and see without the games and rides:)
We had a grand time!!

Now IF we had another beautiful day, maybe we would do a few rides, play a few games, scout out the horses and look at the garden exhibits--for a start:)