“Well there's a full moon in the western sky, and there's magic in the air”

I’m pretty sure it was the summer before 8th grade, though it could’ve been the summer before 9th that my dad took me to the county fair. My mom and sister were not with us, so I can only assume they were out visiting my Nana in Las Vegas. I don’t remember all the details about the day, but I do remember going on the swings. My dad went on them too, and I recall the both of us getting off after all the circling in the air and having to sit down on the nearest bench because we both felt like we were going to puke. That was the first time I had ever felt that way. I haven’t been on those swings since. I also remember walking around and looking at all the booths set up. It’s heavenly to a young girl. Backpacks, purses, jewelry, tie-dyed clothing of all sorts, homemade rickrack and unnecessary tchotchkes. That was the day my dad bought me the sunglasses that I HAD to have… purple lens glasses - think John Lennon style except I got the oval shaped ones that suited my face better. I was SO excited to have them. I even got to pick out a purple strappy glass holder thing so I could hang them around my neck when I wasn’t wearing them! Purple was my favorite color, they were very funky looking - what more could this girl want?! I wore them the rest of the afternoon and all the way home even though by the end of the day they were giving me a headache. (Purple lenses are not the smartest invention!) I learned to get over it though. Sometimes fashion hurts.

My next memorable trip to the fair was somewhere around the summer of 2008. My (then) husband, my BFF, and I went to the fair. I’m sure we walked around and had some food or something, but that wasn’t why we went. We were there to see… are you ready for this? BOYZ II MEN!!! Yes, they were minus one person from the group who had died, but it didn’t matter to me and my BFF. BOYZ II MEN!!! In junior high (and I think part of 6th grade) I listened to End of the Road on repeat. That was back when you could go to Tower Records or The Wherehouse and buy actual singles tapes. I had that one. I never went to a B2M concert though. This was my chance. We went to the fair, stood in line, and lemme tell you, we were fearful that we wouldn’t get in because of all the people there in line in front of us. But we did! And let me tell you, us white girls (who were definitely the minority that evening!) had an amazing, reminiscent night.

My next trip to the fair was right after my husband and I decided to separate. I had just moved out about two months before. I didn’t know a ton of people who lived near me, but there was one girl at work who I talked to who had mentioned that she went to the fair quite often to catch the concerts. I really wanted to see Uncle Kracker perform because it was his country-ish album. She said she’d come with. So we went. When we went, did some shopping, and then caught the concert while we hung out with her lesbian friends and walked around having a great ol’ time. That was when the rumor started that I left my husband for her. She was bisexual, though more leaning towards the gals than guys. We were just friends. I got a kick out of squashing that rumor. Lol

If I’m not mistaken, I went twice to the fair that year.. The second time being with a very good friend of mine. We went because we both wanted to go see Natalie Grant perform (a Christian pop artist). I don’t listen to a lot of Christian artists, but she is one I enjoy. It’d be cool to listen to her live and for the price (free with admission to fair), you couldn’t beat it. Since it was on a work night, we didn’t stay much past the concert, but let me tell you - it was hot that day, so before going in to the concert we decided to get margaritas. I’m pretty sure we were the only ones at that concert with an alcoholic beverage in hand. It was a little weird, but we didn’t care. Stare away folks. It’s hot, we’re thirsty. You just wish you had one in hand too! Once again, another great night!

Well, it’s that time of year. The fair is back. I didn’t go last year. I want to go this year if only to listen to Hoobastank perform. I don’t know if I will or not, and I'd rather not go by myself. I didn’t go last year either. I know between parking and paying for the entrance fee, food, etc, that it isn’t always a cheap visit. But I like walking around and people watching. I like buying enough ride tickets to go on the ferris wheel once and spending the rest on going down the enormous slide on a potato sack. I like splitting a funnel cake with powdered sugar on top (because let’s be real - eating a whole one by yourself, though it sounds like a good idea, will make you absolutely sick). I like walking around and seeing all the useless stuff a person suddenly wants needs. I like walking by all the carnies even though they creep me out. Some might think going to the county fair is hokey or a waste of money… maybe it is. But to me, it’s fun.