County Fair
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"We've been looking forward to it all year." said the mom of a first time demolition derby driver, both nervous and proud. That is the sentiment heard at county fairs throughout Virginia where communities come together and celebrate the last year of work, support their families, and enjoy a time and space outside of the day-to-day. From the young girl auctioning off her first goat (one she raised from a kid as part of 4H and whose proceeds goes to her college fund), to the blue ribbon winner for best ear of corn, to the teens lining up in bunches at the midway rides, the feeling at a fair is a soft mix of pride, fun, and somehow--despite all the crowds--calm. It's a place that celebrates accessible arts, the best cookie, best table setting, the best lego sculpture, alongside showing the pretty side of livestock production, cattle and pigs in pens and cages of chickens and pigeons all waiting to see who takes home the first prize. It brings a Disneyland-like experience to communities whose families may never see the theme park but will never forget winning a hermit crab at the ball toss.
