The New England Agricultural Fair - Photos by My Father

Photos by My Father

Growing up, local agricultural fairs were as much an event as Christmas.  Seemingly everyone in town went, from our private schools who had booths to those who seemingly only emerged once or twice a year.  So it was a perfect cross-section.  

We would go as a family, and "set up" our home base with blankets and chairs, always the same time and place.  We each had favorite events, and of course loved all of the animals.  (The mangers were real.)   Relatives and friends each year knew where to find us to catch up, sometimes for hours. Less than healthful food was everywhere.  We knew year after year who had the good pies, or best sandwiches and we would plan what order to hit which booths to avoid the lines.  Some important charities made the budget for their year at these events.  

And few pined for snow on Christmas day as deeply as I for cool, crisp, dry Autumn days on fair weekends.