Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again. Our eleven day county fair just ended, and we had a great time. Unfortunately, I didn’t enter any of the competitions this year, but it was great to see the winners and runners up all the same. The strange thing was that the weather was much too warm for the fair. One of the nights I went, it was 85 degrees with a heat index of 90 – at 4:00 in the afternoon! That’s just not fair weather. However, it cooled down considerably by the last day of the fair with a drizzly day in the 50s. Regardless of the weather, it was fun, fun, fun. Here’s a taste of a county fair Charleston style – part 1.
FAIRGROUNDS:
I love seeing how the fairgrounds are decorated each year. The arrangements are so pretty.
Fall arrangement outside the arts building
Fall arrangement outside the barn
Fall arrangement in the garden area
And I just had to get a picture of myself in the garden area.
Me with a fall arrangement in the garden area
Every year, someone creates a beautiful, patriotic sand sculpture. This was the one on display this year. Amazing.
Sand sculpture
ENTERTAINMENT:
Every year, our fair brings in great entertainment. Each night, there’s a concert by a different nationally known artist (free of charge with gate admission fee). We also have a hypnotist that comes every year. (His show is hilarious.) Then, there are local shows (kid dance recitals, singing contests, local bands, etc.). Finally, there are always two additional shows that change most years.
For the second year in a row, we got to see the African Acrobats or Zulu Acrobats. They are very talented and great showmen. This year, they changed their routine a bit. They’re constantly moving and dancing to their island beats, so it was difficult to get pictures. Here’s one of their balancing acts.
African Zulu Acrobats performing
For the first time, we got to see Lady Houdini! She was amazing! In this stunt, she is in a straight jacket, hung upside down, in the air! And yes, she got out and repelled down in a matter of minutes.
Lady Houdini in straight jacket
The finale was an escape from the water tank – the same one Harry Houdini made famous all those years ago. However, Lady Houdini does it in full view! She was chained hands and feet and locked inside the water tank. I took so many pictures, but the lighting wreaked havoc with my cell phone camera, so this is the best shot I could get. She was under water for 2 minutes and 20 seconds. (Yes, we timed her.) How she did this, I have no idea!
Lady Houdini during water tank escape
COMPETITIONS:
Although I didn’t compete in any category this year, I still loved seeing the entries and the winners. For the flower show, this year’s theme was Music City Nashville in honor of the Country Music Awards.
Entrance to the flower show
When I got inside, I couldn’t believe who I saw!! I just had to get a picture with him!
Me with Elvis
This was the arrangement that welcomed us inside the door.
Musical instrument arrangement
Here’s one of the winning flower arrangements. I love star gazer lilies.
A winning flower arrangement
Next stop, the domestic arts building. I paid particular attention to what items won the canning competition. The strange thing is that no one got a best of show ribbon for canning this year. Hmmm…. 😉
This is the prize winning cake, with first place and best of show ribbons. Pretty creative, eh?
Prize winning cake
I always enjoy the creativity on display with crocheted afghans, sewn garments, knitted items, and quilts. This was one of my favorite prize winning quilts.
Prize winning quilt
Click here for Part 2 of my fair adventure, which includes the agricultural part of the fair.
Sanctuary Gardener 