Home > Living a Better LIFE > Archives > 2009 > October > 23 > Entry
A day at the State Fair
It was a day about food.
I moved to Rocky Mount almost three years ago. During those first two years, every time fall rolled around, I wanted to go to the N.C. State Fair. I had never been to a state fair but had heard good things, mostly about the food. Having written about the fair in 2007 and 2008, I had heard about the new fried foods introduced each year. Since the most exotic fried food I had eaten was a funnel cake, I usually was intrigued.
Two years went by and I never made it to the fair. This year, I decided I was going no matter what. A friend from church told me about a group going last weekend and invited me to tag along.
Food definitely is the main attraction. Everywhere I looked people were hawking hot dogs, candy apples, funnel cakes, corn on the cob and more deep-fried food than you can imagine. Some of the stranger ones included deep-fried banana split sundaes, Oreos, macaroni and cheese and pecan pie. I am not a huge deep-fried fan, but I decided to try the chocolate chip cookie dough. It was OK, but I wished afterward I had tried deep-fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead. (I did not think my stomach would handle both and the hot dog, fries and caramel apple I also had that day.)
For some people, the rides at the fair are the main attraction. I have to admit, I am not one of those people. I like big roller coasters that go up and down and make my heart beat heavily in my chest. The fair rides all seemed to be about suspending you upside down or spinning you around until you are dizzy, nauseous or both. Neither appealed to me.
Reading this, you might think I didn’t enjoy myself. You would be wrong. I had a great day. I loved the smell of the foods and the sight of people chowing down on things they wouldn’t dream of eating the other 355 days of the year. I had a great time hanging out with friends and people watching. I loved seeing so many families having a good time together.
With just two full days before the fair ends, if you haven’t gone, now is the time. For me at least, the fair lived up to its theme, “Whole Lotta Happy.”
Do you have any favorite memories of going to a fair? Share your thoughts by commenting here or e-mail me at lmcfarland@coxnc.com.
Comments