Well, its come and gone. Hard to believe. Months of preparation and weeks of build up culminate in the summer's last big event... the County Fair.
I grew up with the county fair. I was a member of a 4-H club. My sister was too. We loved to go with friends and family and wander the grounds checking out the exhibits, livestock, watch the tractor pulls and most of all ride the carnival rides. Oh, and grub out in ways not recommended for a regular everyday diet.
Now that I'm a big boy--or pretend to be one, I still find the fair has a... well, fair amount of excitement. I'm sort of on the payroll now and don't get to necessarily sit and take it all in, but going to report and take some photos has given the experience a whole new dimension.
Last weekend the Wasatch County Fair kicked off with the Demolition Derby. For me, an automotive event is a good way to suck me in. Crashing modified stock cars in a muddy arena with concrete barriers is more fun than it sounds, if you're a novice. And if you're into it... well, its a big night.
I would like to see Wasatch County incorporate a tractor pull into its fair. The facility is in place. The fan base is there to perform for. And, knowing what I know about some of the folks in the Heber and Midway valley--heck, the entire Wasatch back, there would be plenty of participants.
Maybe if you're a tractor pull fan, you can contact Wasatch County Parks and Recreation and let them know of your interest. It's never too early to start planning for next year.
During the week, there are days full of activities. The Southfield Park grounds are laid out with carnival rides, food stands and stages for performances. There are numerous talent contests, featuring everything from costumed canines to singing children. Grown-ups seem to never tire of seeing little ones dressed up like CMT stars and nervously whispering into a REAL microphone.
There is a large family BBQ where for $5 a plate, you can get served by a city or county council member... which is always fun, I guess. And of course, the queens and princesses are always visible--thank goodness, as Miss Wasatch and her court perform and are around for photos and to generally just dress-up the place.
I don't ride carnival rides anymore. Some adults never outgrow this sort of thing, and I suppose I wouldn't either if I could afford my own wristband. But I prefer to supply those for the kiddies. Don't go thinking I'm scared or nothin'.
For me, the best part of the carnival is to take a moment and gaze at it from afar. The lights--blinking and bright and golden really are beautiful and give off an aura of childhood memories that each and everyone of us have. You can always go down in it too. Walk amongst the carnies and teenagers, decked-out in glow-stick bracelets, who use the time to spread their social wings a bit outside of their normal circles. Even have a candied apple. You probably haven't had many of those outside of the county fair.
Fair Days in Wasatch County traditionally wraps things up with a local fave--the Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo presented by Dodge with Spencer Auto Sales serving as its local dealer.
That's the Saturday night event, but before that is the big parade held on Main Street in Heber. Parades are great. Despite the lack of excitement that comes with Demolition Derbys, Rodeos or thrilling carnival rides, the parade is a stable.
I told my six year old, Stella, when she asked me how long the parade lasts, "Only about a half an hour... it's really quick." Well, I was mistaken. Mostly because I had forgotten. Perhaps because the entries are getting more vast. Or most likely, that they just take their time strolling down the street.
This year's parade lasted over an hour. And when you think about it--that's what the people want. Their money's worth. Even though its a free event.
The people love it. They line the street with lawn furniture they set out hours in advance to get a good look and the kids get as close to the action as possible rushing up to caravan. Of course a lot of that has to do with the candy, popcicles and cold water being tossed into the crowd.
It's just a slice of good old fashioned Americana. Log live the parade!
The Rodeo crowns the week. Held at Wasatch's awesome three year old arena, both sides of the grandstand fill with rodeo and county fair fans alike. Armed with fried doughnuts, snow cones and corn on the cob, the locals--and some from as far as Salt Lake City love the PRCA show.
Not just some of the world's best in roping and barrel racing show up, one of the best rodeo clowns in the business supplies some of the night's best moments. Especially, when it's humorist, Troy "Wild Child" Lerwill, with the George Bush-esque voice, straddling a motorcycle and leaping over a duely and a travel trailer. Wild Child indeed.
Then, following the bruising bull-riding event, where 18 cowboys took their shot at eight seconds of rodeo fame, the lights went off and the fireworks went up. Blasting into the night sky at the prompting of American anthems streaming from the P.A.
A fitting close, not only in tradition, but in ooh n' aahs that the people who attended at least some part of this year's county fair with their loved ones will not soon forget.
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