Fair season, another important facet of Americana, is in full swing! I try to visit at least one fall fair a year, and trips have ranged from the monster trucks and pierogie ladies of the completely over-the-top Bloomsburg Fair to the charming, small-town feel of the Unionville Community Fair (pictures from ’09).
The York Fair, which claims to be America’s oldest, falls somewhere in between. Highlights from last weekend:
- 734 pound pumpkin
- pie iron sandwich vendor
- baby pigs!
- baby sheep!
Overall, the York Fair is worthwhile, although the lack of judges’ comments in the exhibition halls was disappointing. Yes, it’s fun to look at the winning baked goods and produce. But it’s far more useful to read the judges’ notes and learn what makes a winning apple pie and how one should compare various plates of cherry tomatoes.
As always, I took many pictures of giant beets, monster pumpkins, animals, and neon.