All the fun at the fair!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Since 1818, Skowhegen, 20 miles east of Farmington, has held the oldest continuous fair in the country. We spent the afternoon walking around the 4-H fairgrounds, trying out various rides (Alex and Eleni!), watching the horse races, and checking out the big top! We didn’t watch the entire Circus performance, but we saw enough for Eleni to want to be just like the Hula Hoop lady when she grows up (thankfully not the frightening tight-rope walker or the woman who flipped herself through fire).

The fair was rather expensive: $8 for each adult to get in, $20 for 20 ride tickets (around 3 rides for each child), $5 for a doughboy (fried dough), and $4 for a 2 minute pony ride. There were many apologies and explanations for the price of items due to the high gas prices this summer, but even with high prices, the fair was packed with people from all walks of life. We helped Alex fit in and bought him a NASCAR hat (sadly, we lost only one thing on this trip (so far) – Alex’s Red Sox hat).

The pony ride of a lifetime!

Right...what don't you see in Maine every day?

Alex before his new hat (sporting Neil's hat!)

And another pony ride! Faster and longer and very exciting for a three-year-old!

A range of exhibitions here...

Eleni on a very pink car (followed by a Dumbo the elephant ride)

My Dad bet on this horse (Alex and Eleni's came in last!)

A true 4-H fair!

Complete with fiddle-heads and blueberries!

A ride we did not go on!

And games we did not play!

Horrible for you, but very fun at a fair! Complete with cotton candy, too!

When we returned to the cabin, my Dad kindly watched the kids for two hours while Neil and I celebrated our ten-year anniversary with a dinner at the Granary Pub in Farmington. After two months of 24/7 with the kids, it felt rather odd to be on our own (but reassuring to know that after spending so much time with each other this summer, we actually wanted to celebrate our relationship!).


And, while we are celebrating…

Happy birthday Uncle Jon (and belated birthday greetings for Pam, Marco, Anouk, and, for next week – Sandy and cousin Abby!)!