Benton County Fair

I've been to the county fair many a summer. The Hill Family Singers performed many a show. Marni, Courtney & I competed with "In the Mood" at the talent show after Graham was born in dresses from Ragstock. It is not unfamiliar to me. Its cheese curd charm is something I was looking forward to during my visit.

But something different was in the air this year. The fair walk-roads were paved. Hmmm. There was a sink washing station so our hands could be clean. The little stage now had covered audience seating. Beautiful potted plants were everywhere.

Are they classing up the Benton County Fair?

I guess this picture answers that question with a resounding yes. Cut-out flower pictures are shorthand for a classy fair!

However, the gritty/depressing charm the fair has always conveyed was still there. Still plenty of heavily tattooed, gruff smokers toting babies in unsafe positions. Still plenty of rickety rides like The Zipper and The Coffin. (Just kidding. That's not its name, only its purpose!)

My dad was gettin' jiggy wit it on the fairway. That's what a Dairy Queen milkshake will do to you. Dairy Queen as in a central Minnesota lass selling creamy shakes from a cart.


I'm only sad we didn't get to take any old-timey photos. The running joke (well, I thought it was funny) was that next year, we would set up a booth to give away Jillian Michaels' hormonal health/weight loss books. I say that as someone who totally needs the benefit of what she teaches about healthy, balanced eating as a catalyst for improved metabolism. It's just that a fair brings out so many poorly dressed people. Poorly dressed for their body types. Clinton & Stacy could do a lot of good work at the fair.