Last weekend saw the 101st Hopkinton State Fair take place in, where else, Hopkinton, NH. For reasons unknown, in the 40 years I've lived in the state I've never attended the Hopkinton Fair, but 2016 changed all that. My daughter, grandson, and I headed there bright and early Sunday morning so we could avoid the crowds and the afternoon sun. By time we left four hours later, there was plenty of both sun and crowds!
Fellow New Hampshire-ite and Poetry Friday regular, Matt Forrest, is the "voice" of the fair. That is, he does the announcing of activities and events taking place. I tracked him down as he wandered the fairgrounds (he does his announcing, not in a booth, but from wherever he is). We made quick introductions and talked a little about the children's book biz before Matt was on his way again. My daughter took this photo of us:
If you've never been to a fair, here's what you can expect:
Farm animals. Real.
And not-so-real!
Prize-winners in just about every category including canned goods.
And vegetables.
Food and drink.
I kept telling myself a baked potato was the healthier choice, however, there's very little about this loaded potato that is healthy! (I enjoyed every bit of it!)
The midway.
And a bit of the unexpected! In this case, diving dogs!
This little guy enjoyed his first visit to the fair:
Our fair excursion was a success, so, that means, in another few weeks, we head down to Springfield, MA for The Big E!
I'm sure there will be a blue-ribbon harvest of poetry at The Poem Farm--head over for this week's Round-Up!
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Oh, I love this post! Your piggy piece is fantastic. Can't wait for Deerfield Fair.
ReplyDeleteTry some pie for me, Andy! The Big E used to have a vendor, I believe it was in the MA building, that had awesome fruit pies. I love pie, but haven't found a good fair vendor in a long while.
DeleteJust finished up on the Northwest WA fair in Lynden, WA - small and joyous and do-able in a day. Love your photo of the canned fruit and vegetables. For me, needlework is always fun to see - and, of course, THE PIGS! We saw piglet races, too - the piggies even jumped over "hurdles" to get to their cookie-prize finish. And we saw a chicken costume competition, too - on chicken disguised as a turkey. Aren't fairs WONDERFUL?!!
ReplyDeleteThe Topfield Fair in MA (coming up on 9/30) has a ungreased "greased" pole for kids to climb (it's a metal pole, slick, but not messy). It's always fun to watch. I do love a fair!
DeleteThanks again for making the trek up to Hopkinton, Diane - it was so nice to see you! Wish we could've talked longer. I'll be sharing my annual "Fair Redux" blog post next week, so I hope you'll check it out and share your thoughts! (My wife & I are looking forward to Deerfield, too, so that we can actually enjoy it together!)
ReplyDeleteWill do!
DeleteWhat a fun post! Where is Hopkinton? Never heard of it. Great pic of you and Matt! Your grandson is adorable and looks like he was having a ball. :)
ReplyDeleteJama, Hopkinton is a little town just outside of our state's capital city, Concord, and right next door to my town, as well. Interestingly, as tiny as the town is, there is another little village within it, Contoocook, which is where the fair is actually located.
DeleteA fair is an experience not to be missed!
DeleteWonderful that you tracked down Matt, Diane & love the picture. Also, that "interminable line for food"-just great. And I said it on FB, but your grandson's smile is so, so sweet. (Love the loaded potato, too.)
ReplyDeleteThat baked potato was extremely messy. They use cheese sauce (aka liquid cheese), which, when it's added on top of a hot potato becomes even more liquidy and flows off the edges!
DeleteWe always go to the Fairfield County Fair in October -- the last county fair of the year in Ohio. It's the 166th this year!
ReplyDeleteHow cool to meet and hear Matt!
DeleteTopsfield Fair goes through Columbus Day, good for pumpkins, not so good for showing earlier season veggies. Speaking of Topsfield, it's got your Fairfield County Fair beat--Topsfield Fair began in 1818! 198 years ago! I think it's time to cue up Rogers and Hammerstein, "Our state fair is a great
Deletestate fair..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nApAMA-eO7A
You know that's a whole children's story right there --- Baby goes to the Fair. Delightful!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll give that some thought!
DeleteGreat post! The fair sounds so fun -- and a Matt sighting!
ReplyDeleteIt is "real America" thing with the fried foods and the midway. I know other countries have fairs, but I can't imagine they are anything like these extravaganzas!
DeleteWhat a cutie your grandson is. And that baked potato looked heavenly, loaded as it was. Looks like a fun day all around.
ReplyDeleteLove that line of piglets! And that sweet grand.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I enjoyed my visit to the fair, with you. :) Love your piggies and pumpkins - and the link-ups.
ReplyDeleteLooks like FUN! Even more so when you've got a little one along, I think, except for the interminable lines. ;) Great photo of you and Matt. I haven't been to many fairs, but I do remember one that had a spam cook-off. Spam sushi won, in case you were wondering.
ReplyDeleteThe fair is the best! What a fun family time (and tradition in the works?) Thank you for the field trip. I absolutely adore that you and Matt met up. Poetry Friday in 3-D! xx
ReplyDelete