Have I Stayed Too Long At the Fair?

Last Sunday I took my Zaragozan friend to the Sonoma County Fair in beautiful Santa Rosa, about a 53 mile drive north of San Francisco.  The theme of the fair this year was The Land Before the Fair.  The weather was beyond spectacular- mid 70s and a very mild, cooling breeze.  Santa Rosa can get into the 90s; you might say the weather was unusually cool for this time of year.  We got there a little after two, leaving San Francisco in the middle of the daily battle of fog vs. sunshine.  Being that it was the weekend, the fairgrounds were packed.  I think a lot of people are doing lots of local trips.  But that is part of the fun of going to a fair...the people.  People of all sizes, shapes, colors, clothing styles, ages...a kaleidoscope of humanity sharing happiness, good food, great times.  We started with the pavilion that housed quilts, baked goods, drawings, agricultural stuff- awesome.  Photography and paintings were viewed and admired for a long time.  After, walked through the Mexican Village and the distinct aroma of Mexican fast food hit the nostrils.  A band was playing a pretty good rendition of La Bamba and Guantanamera- two musical selections that are stereotypical of Latin America.  Having survived this section, we proceeded into the Hall of Flowers which was amazing this year.  A Jurassic theme; the paintings on the wall were worthy of comparison with the best matte work of a long gone Hollywood.  The floral displays defied description.  One of my faves was a brontosaur made of flowers, seeds and red peppers.  Then through the pavilion where things were being sold...candies, Jacuzzis and my traditional 4 new ties for school.  Hunger eventually hit us and I introduced my friend to his first corn dog.  Corn dogs are such a treat at fairs.  As I overheard a seller, the food sold at the fair was fat free, sodium free, and calorie free.  If you do not ingest at the fair, all calories are doubled once in the parking lot!  Dessert consisted of ice cream cones- he had mocha nut and I had rocky road...delish!  The inevitable romp through the bovine pavilion brought farm memories for my friend.  The final section was the carnival area. Not much new in the rides department; in fact they looked like the same rides from 7 years ago.  I must say that visiting the county fair is a trek through American ingenuity, progress, abundance and pride.  At such events, all ethnic groups unite; all ages seem polite towards each other; again a great feeling of pride as to what a local community can produce and share with the world.  I look forward to going to Santa Rosa next year.  

"Our state fair is a great state fair

 Don't miss it

 Don't even be late"

from STATE FAIR by Rodgers and Hammerstein