# Do You do "fairs"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586 "2017-09-05T19:39:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/21 "2017-09-05T22:15:53Z")
I used to go to the county fair when I was a kid/teenager. I went mostly for the horse show. My Aunt was on the fair board and had a reserved box at the horse ring that she let us use. As I got older, I ended up working at the fairgrounds selling tickets, popcorn, etc. Not as much fun. As an adult I’ve only been to art fairs and enjoy those. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/22 "2017-09-05T22:51:42Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > For those of you who have experienced a variety of state and county fairs, are there things that make certain fairs distinctive? Or are they all pretty much the same? In it’s earliest incarnation, my band played 10-13 fairs a year on the west coast. We still do a couple a year, hopefully a few next year. Seems like I’ve been everywhere. Yes, most fairs have their own vibe. Different people, different geography, weather, you name it. The San Diego County Fair is at the horse track in Del Mar. The beach is across the street. I did a fair in LA County somewhere that was held in a parking lot. Everything is uphill from everything else at the Gold Country Fair in Auburn, CA. (seems like.) There’s something about each one. I don’t go out of my way to go to a fair unless the headline act is really something I want to see. You’d be surprised how good some of the bands at that level are. I also don’t eat food on a stick. Eat enough of those sticks and you’ll poop out a wicker chair. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/23 "2017-09-05T23:15:15Z")
I haven’t gone in a while, but I used to enjoy it whenever I did go. (And I’m now hearing the “Do the Puyallup!” song in my head) > [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I usually enter a knitted item in the crafts competition at the Sacramento County Fair. If I have an item entered I attend the fair. I’ve often considered doing that. Are there certain types of items you submit? Do you design the patterns yourself? Have you ever won? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/24 "2017-09-05T23:18:36Z")
I will occasionally go to the Virginia State Fair for work reasons. My state agency usually has an exhibit set up so that people can learn how to control pollution, recycle, and compost. Sometimes I will volunteer to man the exhibit just to have an excuse to get out of the office. Except for those times when I volunteer, I don’t go. Not even elephant ears are enough to entice me. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/25 "2017-09-05T23:24:09Z")
Not for years. To me, they’re a lot like deciding to engage in a one-night stand. It’s never as fun as you hope it’s going to be and after too much pushing and shoving and eating things you’re not sure about, you wake up the next day feeling vaguely ill. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/26 "2017-09-06T00:22:45Z")
Over my lifetime, I’ve probably gone to the Ex (Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition or the Canadian National Exhibition) three years out of every four (on average). At this point it’s probably more tradition than pleasure, but there’s still nothing quite like the taste of my annual corn dog fresh from the fryer. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/27 "2017-09-06T00:27:45Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I haven’t gone in a while, but I used to enjoy it whenever I did go. (And I’m now hearing the “Do the Puyallup!” song in my head) I go to the Puyallup Fair every few years if I have a day off and it’s wristband day (unlimited rides for $40). Mostly I go to stuff myself with weird food and watch the magic acts and look at the animals. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/28 "2017-09-06T00:49:02Z")
When growing up I was in 4-H but our county had “Achievement Days” instead of a full-fledged fair. I always felt cheated out of the experience of lots of food and rides and exhibits. We would go to the South Dakota state fair every other year for those things. Our county fair (in Minnesota) is pretty good sized, but we’ve noticed the 4-H and FFA type of exhibits have really diminished in quantity. Always enjoy the animals and the photography exhibits, and my wife likes the quilts. We’ll do the Ferris wheel and maybe one other tame ride, and not eat too much unhealthy food except the mini-doughnuts and the dairy board’s milk shakes. The big thing in Minnesota is the state fair, which just finished on Labor Day. They just set an attendance record; something like 240,000+ people per day. That’s just too crowded for us to endure. We’d rather do the Renaissance Festival instead. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/29 "2017-09-06T01:18:25Z")
I go to small local fairs a lot. Mostly for the food & jewelry/artwork for sale. But I went to the MN state fair last year and tried deep fried everything - they even had deep fried butter! ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/30 "2017-09-06T01:24:56Z")
I have grandkids so we usually take them, but it was too hot this year. My first one was in Florida and it was awesome. At least my 15 year old self thought so. The Sacramento State Fair is pretty good, but I wish it would come in the fall instead of the summer. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/31 "2017-09-06T01:26:37Z")
I try to go to the county fair if I’m not working. My son used to always enter a Lego creation, and he won every year he entered. Plus, bein’s how I’m from Idaho, I have a certain fondness for the sheep. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/32 "2017-09-06T02:04:08Z")
I’ll go every few years for the fresh junk food I can get. Fresh peanut patties. Fresh kettle corn. Hot out of the fryer funnel cakes. A few others. Yes, I know I can make these myself but I just can’t be arsed to put forth the effort. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/33 "2017-09-06T02:41:34Z")
I did so a lot more in the past. At one time or another I did the whole thing from entering crops and animals in the shows to racing motorcycles and antique cars at the fairs to being a barker at one fair, to a part of a musical act ---- just about everything. I loved the atmosphere and being a part of the"insiders". These days I’ll more likely go to a more town festival such as the Tipton Pork Festival or Thorntown Festival of the Turning Leaves but even as GP (general public) I still get a kick out of things like that. Now my bucket list ------- I haven’t been to the PA Farm Show in about 30+ years. One of these years soon I’m going to blow about 10 days and go for EVERYTHING. From the unveiling of the butter sculpture to tractor square dancing. But that has to wait at least another year or three. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/34 "2017-09-06T02:46:24Z")
I grew up going to the New York State Fair at Chemung Fair Grounds in Elmira, NY. When I was a teenager I also went to the Florida State Fair in Miami, FL. The Clark County Fair (and Rodeo) in Logandale, NV just doesn’t compare, so I haven’t been in like 10 years now. Ddammit; I miss a good fair! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/35 "2017-09-06T02:53:34Z")
Years ago, in the squandered days of my young adulthood, I went to county fairs often (but never as a participant). Being a life-long citified greenhorn (until the age of 39), I found the agricultural displays in particular to be the most interesting stuff, somehow alluring and educational. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/36 "2017-09-06T10:34:10Z")
Short answer: No. I’ve quit going to a lot of paid events as I age because they no longer produce a positive ROI. Too many events seem designed to handi-vac my wallet with little gain for me. Fairs check all the “no” boxes in my personal list. 1. Pay to park - check 2. Overpriced food - check 3. Filthy restrooms (porta potties) - check 4. Iffy rides (constant assembly/disassembly by dubiously qualified techs) - check 5. Forced currency conversion (tickets, sold in amounts that ensure useless leftovers, that cannot be returned) - check 6. Boring entertainment (I don’t know anything about cows, or why that one is being shown) - check 7. Crowds - check ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/37 "2017-09-06T10:59:03Z")
I’m not sure if they have things like that here. They probably have a few small events in some of the outlying suburbs, a wine and cheese festival or some such, and there’s [a big thing](https://royalshow.com.au/) they have each year, which I’ve never been to as it seems to be oriented towards kids and families, but otherwise I don’t think it’s the kind of thing that happens around these parts. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/38 "2017-09-06T11:36:33Z")
We go to the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield Ma frequently. Next year’s will be the 200th anniversary of the first\*, which is probably a record in the US. They usually have one of the year’s largest pumpkins anywhere (they’ve had the world record for the year a couple of times), the exhibits are fun and always changing, and the shows are sometimes pretty good. The sand sculpture is always worth seeing, and the food always has some new item. You can pick up gifts at the handcraft stalls, and I like the maple sugar cotton candy. When Pepper Mil was still making mead, she could buy huge containers of honey there. I went to the Utah State Fair when I lived out there. I used to go to the animal judging and have some farmer sitting next to me explain what they were using as criteria to judge the beasts by. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/39 "2017-09-06T12:24:31Z")
Fairs were a big deal when my kids were young. Beer/liquor/wine/mead events have usurped fairs for us. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586/40 "2017-09-06T15:14:43Z")
My wife and I enter the photography show at the Washington State fair every year and this gives us a reason to go. For the first time since we have known each other, neither of us had any photos accepted so we questioned whether to attend or not. It will likely depend on my work schedule, I am on mandatory overtime for the near future. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-do-fairs/795586.md?page=3)