My family always attended fall fairs when I was growing up. This year, as new rural residents, it was a lot of fun to be part of this annual celebration of rural culture.
Farmers big and small exhibit their harvests, everything from fruits and vegetables to hay and grains. People show off their preserves and baking. There are crafts including knitting, sewing, quilting, painting, photography and wood carving. The school fair showcases special projects by local elementary students.
There are historical exhibits, such as this threshing demonstration we watched.
I believe the machine is from the 1930s. With all of the belts and wheels and pipes, it looked like something out of a Tim Burton movie.
Modern equipment was there too, including ATVs, UTVs and tractors.
My dad, Matt and I check out the massive Case 350, just in case we decide to upgrade (Love you, Wiley!)
The fair is also a time to celebrate and let loose after all of the hard work of the summer. Look beyond all of the equipment, and you’ll see the main attraction of the fair: the midway.
The zipper was my Dad’s favourite ride growing up, and now it’s mine. This one was the best zipper I’ve ever been on. The centrifugal force was amazing–I felt like we were going to fly off the track.
An integral part of the midway is the concession stands. My favourite fair food is the fresh cut french fries.
Piping hot, nice and crispy, doused with gallons of vinegar and buckets of salt
And then there are the animals.
Obviously, dreadlock here was the camera-hog (or sheep), but take a look a ringlet’s lovely locks on the right
And there are the kids exhibiting their animals.
Every single one of these cows had their own kid. Impressive.
And the birds.
This iridescent beauty is a (napping) Cayuga duck.
Including some I’ve never seen before.
This was a type of peacock
In addition to being a lot of fun, the fair did help me to solidify the animals I’d like to add to the farm. Tune in Friday to see who made my list. Hint: one of the species, but not the exact breed, is above.
What animals do you think I chose? What animals would make your list? Any other fall fair fans out there? What’s your favourite ride? And most important: how do you like your fries?
Home on 129 Acres 
Ducks! I know you want ducks for that awesome pond! 🙂
Ducks definitely, Michele. The pond will be a big step up from the bathtub I installed for my ducks growing up!
That’s a peacock!? Never would’ve guessed. Pretty though.
Our county fair is wrapping up this week too. I’ve been used to summer fairs all of my live until I moved, so I love the fall fair now. It’s not so stinky hot, and there’s pumpkin ice cream!
Pumpkin ice cream!? I’ve never had that.
It’s AMAZING. Like eating frozen pumpkin pie. You’ve got to try it if you can ever find it.
As soon as I tell Matt about this, I’m sure he’ll be on the hunt. He loves pumpkin pie.
Loved your blog today. As newbies to the country we enjoyed our fall fairs this year too. I am seriously considering getting three free range egg laying chickens. Holding me back is the commitment – We wouldn’t be able to leave them and go away over night to visit friends or travel.
Chickens are on my list too, Diane. But I know what you mean about the commitment. We had chickens growing up, but were big cottagers. Left to their own devices, the hens started eating their eggs, and there were none left for us.
That fair looks like such a great time! I LOVE that peacock – he is so handsome!! I was also thinking you’d like some ducks. Maybe when you get to know your neighbours you can have chickens and relieve each other if you want to get away.
The zipper was my favorite too, but I can’t go on it now. Ever since I was pregnant with my oldest son, I get super dizzy.
Glad you got a break. 🙂
I find it really neat/funny/weird how pregnancy changes things.
Boy, does it ever, and in ways you might never expect. I became completely unable to eat jalapenos ever since. What’s up with that?!
So jalapenos don’t fall under your pepper dislike? It’s just the green ones?
Green, red, orange and yellow. I especially loathe roasted red peppers – they taste like spicy, bitter liver. (I also hate liver.) However, the only thing jalapenos taste like to me is hot! So I didn’t mind them, but of course now I can’t eat them anymore.